Her father (born in Leeuwarden in 1840) was a successful salesman of hats and caps - reason enough for him to claim a position in the highest circles of the city's society. On the occasion of a royal visit by King Willem III in 1873, Mr Zelle was even chosen as standard bearer of the guard of honour. Proud of this distinction, he commissioned an artist, A. Martin, to create a portrait of himself in this role.
In January 1883, the Zelle family moved into one of the largest and oldest residences in the city. As the only daughter from among the family's four children, Margreet was terribly pampered by her father. She created quite a sensation riding through the streets in her own goat cart.
After several prosperous years, Adam Zelle fell upon hard times, financially. In 1889 he was even declared bankrupt. Zelle abandoned his family; Margreet, along with her mother and brothers, wound up living in an upstairs flat. On 4 September 1890, the marriage was dissolved, and eight months later, Antje van der Meulen died. The family which had once been so ideal was now completely disintegrated.