A lot of the information in profiles and biographies focus on Tifa's upbringing and her childhood. Tifa is a well developed character and her biography goes far beyond what happened in her past. We've somewhat watched as she has matured and become the woman she portrays in Advent Children

Tifa was born Nibelheim, a small mountain village. From the beginning she was outgoing and kind, bringing her to be popular in the village. She had no siblings, but she had a close relationship with her mother and father. This was ended abruptly when her mother died. Tifa was only eight years old and she struggled with the idea of her mother being gone. She came to the conclusion that her mother's spirit had gone through the mountains, so she set out to Mt. Nibel. Her actions led to an accident that left Tifa in a week-long coma. Tifa began to realize how fragile life could be and that it isn't all sunny skies.

Years later when Tifa was fifteen, her father was murdered and her home town was destroyed in a fire. Tifa's encounter with a certain General left a near-fatal injury from a Masamune Sword. Tifa was taken to Midgar to receive treatment where she made a full recovery. Though she recovered physically, she never quite recovered emotionally.

While Tifa's childhood was filled with friends and she was free to express her feelings, the same was not true of her life in Midgar. She felt alienated in the strange place and she became somewhat particular about placing her trust in others. Though the situation seemed grim, it brought some good. Tifa learned to place more value in the relationships she held with others. She will stop at nothing to ensure that her friends and those close to her are looked after and she will often put their needs before her own.

Tifa has an extremely kind nature and always raises morale within her group, but sometimes feels lost in decisions she makes. At times she will question her own judgement and avoid making choices for fear of making the wrong one. She is a bit over anaylitical in such, thus leading to some confusion.

Though Tifa wears the face of an optimist, she often finds that she is just as afraid of certain things as anyone else. There are times when she reveals such feelings to long time friend Cloud Strife. All too often, she keeps the emotions she does feel inside and away from view. This is likely due to a fear of rejection, best seen in the way she hides feelings she has harbored for Cloud out of doubt. Such actions are also due to her protection instinct, not wanting him to know for various other reasons.

Tifa is quite independent, though it's obvious that she sometimes succumbs to the desire for someone to take care of her and protect her. Such desires were verablized in the promise she received from Cloud at a young age. It is somewhat evident in her actions that she still wishes for this sort of care.

Tifa is defined by her fierce love and determination. Overall, she is a wonderful character inside and out.