Myriam Spiteri Debono was born and spent her childhood in Gozo, where she was educated at state schools up to secondary level. She later attended the University of Malta, from where she graduated with Honours in English Literature and Linguistics, and also qualified as a Notary Public. She was one of the very first female notaries on the Maltese islands.

Throughout her professional and public life, she served in a number of important roles. She was Chairperson of the Cooperatives Board and was also a member of the Gender Equality Commission when it was first established. During her time on this commission, she was especially active on the sub-committee dealing with complaints related to discrimination and harassment.

Myriam Spiteri Debono also served as Chairperson of the Press Ethics Commission for the first three years of its existence, and she was instrumental in drafting its first body of rules of procedure and bylaws.

Her political engagement began while still a student, when she was a founder member of the Socialist Students Union. As a member of the Malta Labour Party, she was elected by the party’s General Conference for 16 consecutive years as a member of the executive committee. She also served for many years as Secretary General and President of the Labour Women’s League.

As President of the Labour Women’s League and later as Speaker, she participated in numerous conferences abroad and was, on several occasions, nominated by participants to preside over those conferences.

From 2009 to 2024, she was a member of the selection board entrusted with making recommendations for the award of Republic Day Honours.

Myriam Spiteri Debono was a practising notary. She is the widow of the late Anthony Spiteri Debono, the mother of Elena, George and Maria Kristina, and the grandmother of Alexandra, Paul, Pippa and Beppe.