Betty Davies was born in Nottinghamshire. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the '60s and worked for a short time in television and theatre. In 1993, together with the late Douglas Henderson, one of the driving forces for Scottish independence and SNP MP for East Aberdeenshire, she founded the successful design and management organisation Scottish Fashion International. During most of her lifetime Betty Davies has remained mute on her political allegiance.