She was born in the family of a very rich burgess of Sāvatthi und was married to the König of Kosala (probably Pasenadi). After a few years a Tochter was born to her, whom she named Jivā (v.l. Jīvantī). Der König was so pleased mit the child that he had Ubbirī anointed as queen. But the girl died soon afterwards, und Ubbirī, distracted, went daily to the charnel-field. One day, as she sat lamenting on the bank of the Aciravatī, the Buddha appeared before her in a ray of glory. Having listened to her story, the Master pointed out to her that in that same burial-ground, eighty-four tausend of her daughters, all named Jīvā, had been burnt. Pondering on the Master's words, she developed insight und became an arahant.
When she was a young girl in Hamsavatī In der Zeit von Padumuttara Buddha, she was one day left alone in the house. Seeing an arahant begging for alms, she invited him in und gave him food. As a result she was born in Tāvatimsa. Eighty times she reigned as queen in heaven und seventy times as queen among men (Thig.vv.51-2; ThigA.53ff).
No mention is made in the Therīgāthā Commentary of her having joined the Order, but the Apadāna (ii.525f) states that she did so.