[1][2] Marie Hüni was born and grew up in Uetikon, a small town on the north shore of Lake Zürich.
[2] In 1896 Marie Hüni married Emil Walter,[1] a fellow student, who was also embarking on a career as a teacher: he later became better known as a political activist, notably as a leader in the so-called Grütli Union.
[2] It is believed that Emil Walter played a crucial role in awakening his wife's political consciousness,[2] although the couple were later, in 1910, divorced.
[2] Under her leadership the women's workers' organisations were increasingly integrated into the rest of Swiss labour movement, especially after 1918.
[1] After 1918 the political mood became increasingly polarised, and Hüni was seen as representing the moderate right wing of the Social Democratic Party, and she lost influence.