Michelina Metelli was born in Farneto, Papal States, to a wealthy Italian family.

She led a lifestyle of parties and luxury but, after the death of her only son, she experienced a vision of him in heaven, and decided to become a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis.

She proceeded to give away all her belongings and property, and founded, together with Francis Zanferdini, the Confraternity of the Annunciation to care for the poor, nurse the sick and bury the dead.

Upon her release from confinement, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as penance for her sins.

Michelina died at her home in Pesaro on 19 June 1356 of natural causes.