Denise Cuer (Bernett) was born in Exeter. Her father brought the family to Caldicot when Denise was two years old to open a garage in Pwllmeric. It was the Jet Garage on the A48.Denise's first memories are of the family home in Caldicot and of playing tag on the green with her friends.
Leaving Caldicot School, Denise completed secretarial training in Newport before starting work. In her twenties, Denise went to university in Northumbria to study Modern Languages and political Science.