Inge Apelt was born to the family of Rudolf Appelt, electric application store owner in Osijek. During her childhood she was often taken to the theatre by her schoolteacher mother. There she fell in love with opera, but, lacking the talent for singing, decided to pursue career in drama. In 1961 she enrolled in Drama Academy in Zagreb and later got small part in a TV show. A Bohemian and unhealthy lifestyle in Zagreb brought her tuberculosis and she had to quit the Academy until her recovery. She finally finished the Academy in 1966 and later got permanent job in Gavella Theatre in Zagreb. Inge Appelt was briefly married, and has two sons.