Kruger was born Diane Heidkrüger in Algermissen, Germany, near Hildesheim. She is the daughter of bank employee Maria-Theresa and computer specialist Hans-Heinrich Heidkrüger . She was raised in Germany with her younger brother, Stefan. As a child, Diane wanted to become a ballerina, so her parents sent her to London to study with the Royal Ballet. After an injury ended her ballet career prematurely, Diane moved to Paris, France and turned her energies toward modeling