Alma was born in Porec (Parenzo), Istria, on May 12, 1954, the first-born child of Ernesta Simonovic (Simeone) Radin from Danci (Monte Pilato), Vizinada and Ermano Lorenzo Radin from Kasterlir (Castelier), who was originally from the village of Radini near Umago.

In 1961, her family fled Istria and stayed first at the refugee camp in Trieste, Italy, then was transferred to the refugee camp in Latina in 1962. In 1963, they boarded the ship Galileo Gallilei and headed for Australia. She, her  parents and two brothers have lived in Melbourne, Australia ever since, while most of their extended family remained in Istria.

Alma married Italian-born Luigi (Gino) Di Pietro in 1976 and they have two sons.