Petty S. Fatimah grew up in Bandung, in West Java, Indonesia.
[1] She initially sought to be a pharmacist, enrolling in the Bandung Institute of Technology, but after failing to qualify she shifted to studying communications.
[1][3] While in college, in the late 1980s, Fatimah became an announcer for OZ Radio [id], which started her journalism career.
[1][4] In 2010, she was given the additional role of Femina's chief community officer.
[1][4] She has worked to build communities for women entrepreneurs and leaders via the magazine.