Born in a Santhali tribal family on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, Murmu's early life was marked by hardships and struggle. Despite these challenges, she was determined to get an education.

On completion of primary education from the village school, she went to Bhubaneswar on her own initiative to continue her studies. She earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Ramadevi Women's College, Bhubaneswar, and became the first woman from her village to receive college education.

Murmu's political career began in 2000 when she was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly. She served as a legislator for two terms, during which time she held various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Commerce and Transport and Minister of State for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.

In 2015, Murmu was appointed Governor of Jharkhand. She was the first woman tribal Governor of a tribal-majority State. During her tenure as Governor, she worked to promote tribal welfare and uphold the values of the Constitution.

In 2022, Murmu was elected President of India. She is the first tribal person and the second woman to hold the office. As President, Murmu has focused on issues such as tribal welfare, women's empowerment, and social justice. She has also been a strong advocate for India's role in the world.