Born in Germany, Grietse married Anthony Van Salee (the Turk) in Amsterdam before coming with him to New Netherland at the age of 27.     She had 4 daughters with him Eva, Cornelia, Annica, and Sara.   She and her husband Anthony were somewhat controversial, and between 1638-1639 they accounted for 15 of the 93 recorded court cases including drunkeness,  petty slander, and her display of her private parts to the naval fleet.      

Despite a legendary reputation, her daughters all married into respectable colonial commercial families.