Helene was born to parents of Kanosian heritage, who emigrated to Ossetia during the Second Great War. Her father found work as a carpenter, while her mother found part-time work at a local clothing factory. The young Helene grew up in the poor district of Ryka, a suburb of the city of Alvassy. When she was seven her mother died of lieukaemia, and from then she was brought up solely by her father.