Marie was born in Carmel, California to a Japanese mother and American father.

Her mother and father met in Vienna, Austria, where both were studying music.

Because German was the only language her parents shared in common, Marie grew up speaking Japanese with her mother, and German with both her parents, only learning English once she started school.

Through numerous trips to Japan, Marie developed a deep love of her mother's homeland.

Her father, an Asian art collector and restorer, taught her the value of beautiful things.

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