Noreen Joan Craigie, later known as Jill Craigie, was born on March 7, 1911, in Fulham, London, England. Her father, Arthur Charles Craigie, held a position as a clerk at a theatre box office, while her mother, Sonia Elkind, hailed from Russia. Craigie's early life was marked by tumultuous relationships, as she first married sculptor Claude Begbie-Clench, who struggled with alcoholism, resulting in a short-lived union. During this marriage, she gave birth to a daughter.
Seeking a more stable partnership, Craigie married author John E F (Jeffrey) Dell in 1938, only to divorce him later. Her third and longest-lasting marriage was to the esteemed politician and author, Michael Foot. Foot, who would go on to serve as the deputy-leader of the Labour Party under James Callaghan from 1976-1980 and leader from 1980-1983, was Craigie's partner for an impressive 50 years.
