Roberts was born on July 15, 1917 in New York City, New York. Roberts was married to John J. Donlon from 1946 until his death in 1965. She was married to Alexander Peter from 1966 until his death in 1993. Roberts had a son with Donlon. Roberts died on August 13, 2012 from heart failure in her home in Stamford, Connecticut, aged 95.