Aileen Wuornos was born on February 29, 1956 in Rochester, Michigan, and at a young age, she and her brother, Keith, were relocated to another part of the state where they were raised by their grandparents. After becoming pregnant at the age of 14, Aileen was kicked out of her grandparent's house and began traveling the country, making money along the way as a prostitute. Despite her turbulent upbringing, it was impossible for anyone to predict the desperate and deadly woman she would become. .
Aileen was the second child of teenage parents, Leo and Diane Pittman, who had a tumultuous relationship. They divorced nearly two years into their marriage, only months before Aileen was born. Leo, a career criminal, was later convicted of kidnapping and raping a seven year old girl and eventually hung himself in his prison cell. .
Unable to handle life as a single mother, Diane left Aileen and her older brother, Keith, with her parents, Lauri and Britta Wuornos, who later adopted the two children. Lauri and Britta drank heavily and parented with strict authority. Lauri often punished his grandchildren with verbal and physical abuse, often whipping them with a leather belt against their naked bodies. It was noted by neighborhood children that Lauri inflicted more violent punishments on Aileen and Keith than he did his own children (Aileen, 2002). .
Aileen wasn't readily accepted by her peers, and as a result, often got into trouble as she sought out attention. She incurred facial scarring at the age of six while lighting fires with her brother, and also began smoking, drinking, and doing illicit drugs. She became known for her violent outbursts and temper tantrums. .
When she was twelve, Aileen became aware that she was adopted. Being disillusioned by the news, both she and Keith rebelled even more against their grandfather's stern authority. The siblings would often run away, only to be found and returned to their grandparents where they'd be severely punished.
