Evgenia Karpouziwas born inAthens, Greece, to amathematicianfather andhigh schoolteacher mother. She studied under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph at a privateFrenchschool inThessaloniki, and later by the same Order in Athens. She learnedFrenchfluently. When she was ateenager, her father left the family and she continued to live with her mother. Her father died in a car accident in 1971. In 1951 she was accepted at the Greek National Theater, where she studied in the Drama School. The playwrightAngelos Terzakisand the directorDimitris Rontiriswere among her teachers. Upon graduation, in 1954, she was immediately thrust into starring roles in the theatre, playing alongside actors such asAlexis MinotisandKatina Paxinou.