Riva was born Paulette Germaine Riva; in Cheniménil, France, the only child of Jeanne (née Nourdin) and Alfredo Riva, a sign painter with Italian heritage.
Riva was born Paulette Germaine Riva; in Cheniménil, France, and group up in Remiremont. She was the only child of Jeanne (née Nourdin) and Alfredo Riva, a sign painter with Italian heritage.