Helvy Tiana Rosa was born on 2 April 1970, eldest daughter of the Acehnese songwriter Amin Usman (Amin Ivo's) and sister of Asma Nadia. She earned a degree in Arabic literature and an M.Hum. from the University of Indonesia and a doctorate in language education from the State University of Jakarta, where she has taught since 2005. She founded Forum Lingkar Pena and Teater Bening, helped launch Annida magazine, was secretary of the Jakarta Arts Council (2003) and serves on MUI's arts and culture bodies; her works include Ketika Mas Gagah Pergi (1997) and Bukavu (2008).