Rosmah Mansor was brought up in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. She had secondary education in Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC), Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. She was touted to have excellent grades and a stellar co-curricular performance. Rosmah Mansor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from University Malaya and a Masters Degree in Sociology and Agriculture from Louisiana State University of the United States of America. Both her parents were educators. Her mother hails from Kampung Mertang, Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. She later worked as an executive with Bank Pertanian and subsequently as a business development manager with Island and Peninsular Bhd, a property developer company.

She married Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak in 1987 and the couple has two children - Nooryana Najwa and Norashman Razak. In addition to them, Rosmah also has three other children - Azrene Soraya (first marriage), and two other children from her second marriage with Abdul Aziz Nong Chik.

Rosmah has been the subject of "anonymous assaults" in the Malaysian FACEBOOK and blogosphere, with critics focusing on her alleged reputation as a spendthrift and dominance over Najib's political and social agenda. She has been photographed with designer handbags and expensive jewelry, which have drawn outrage among opposition politicians.

Rosmah is said to wield huge political power during her husband's term as prime minister, including spending government money on projects and controlling media coverage of politicians. She is also accused of being involved in the murder of Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa and Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy accusation, two highly controversial issues in Malaysia.