Zena Marshall was born on 1 January 1926 in Nairobi, Kenya. Information about her family background is limited. She received her formal education at St Mary's, Ascot. She later studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), preparing for a professional performing career.
She attended St Mary's, Ascot and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Marshall began her acting career during the 1940s. During the Second World War, she worked with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), performing for military personnel.
In cinema, she gained visibility in British film productions of the 1950s and early 1960s. She became widely known for her role as Miss Taro in Dr. No (1962), the first film in the James Bond series. Her career also included roles in stage productions and television performances over several decades.
