Magda Gabor was born Magdolna Gabor in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, the daughter of Vilmos Gabor (born Farkas Miklós Grün) and
Jolie Gabor, Countess de Szigethy (born Janka Tilleman). Her parents were both from Jewish families. Her paternal grandparents were Salamon Grün and Rozália Kluger. Her maternal grandparents, originally from Ukraine, were Jóná Hersch Tilleman and Chawe Feige Reinharz.