Kate Groombridge was born February 9, 1980, and raised in a small village in the region of Kent, England. Her upbringing in the English countryside allowed for an abundance of horseback riding and fishing, but was hardly the most opportune environment in which to be discovered as a model. 

Nevertheless, a family friend recognized the market value of the young Kate's beauty and suggested that she show her photos to agencies. This advice proved well founded, and by age 14, Kate was modeling professionally.