Jelka van Houten, a talented individual, was born on September 1, 1978, in Culemborg, Netherlands, to Margje Stasse, a prominent figure on the board of Dutch educational TV Teleac, and Theodore van Houten, a renowned film historian and musicologist.
As the second daughter, Jelka has an older sister, the accomplished actress Carice van Houten, born in 1976. Growing up, the two sisters showcased their early stage presence in school plays in Utrecht and on Dutch television in a KRO children's program, expertly produced by Stefan Stasse.
Jelka's multifaceted nature is exemplified by her ability to excel in various fields. While studying set design at the Dutch Film Academy, she took on the challenging role of an obsessed killer in the 2001 production of Liefje.
