Martínez Rodríguez was born in San Pedro Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico, on 3 August 1915 (claims 1908).

At some point, she had children. She used to sell hams, cocadas, and tamarind balls in the plaza of San Pedro Pochutla, the town where she spent most of her life. She was described as a diligent woman who built a hardworking family with strong values.