[1] Sinta was born in the Jombang Regency in 1948, the eldest daughter of 18 children.

[2] She attended an Islamic boarding school, where, at age 13, she fell in love with Wahid, who taught there.

[2] After Wahid returned in 1971, Sinta finished a degree in Sharia law.

[2] Since her husband's impeachment in 2001, Sinta has been an outspoken defender of moderate Islam.

[3] She has praised the bravery of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and has criticized polygamy as unfair.