Rita is a member of the Royal Waturuocha family of Aboh Mbaise local government area in Imo State. She attended the Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, before heading to the University of Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a BA (Honours) Degree in Theatre Arts in 1999.
The Nollywood diva started performing as a child, appearing in school plays and children's television shows in Imo State.