Tanya was raised in a middle class household in America, and was always told to marry above her status if she could. And she did. She became very popular in school, despite being a theatre kid. She was in the school play every year, often the lead, and did the costume design her senior year, after realizing her passion for fashion. She applied to Oxford and got her first try. During the 1970s, Tanya met and became friends with Donna and Rosie during her studies at the University, as they were all roommates. During this time the three women also formed their girl-band, Donna and the Dynamos. At University, it is likely that Rosie studied English Literature. Rosie and Tanya graduated from New College, Oxford in 1979, with Donna and the three performing "When I Kissed the Teacher" during their graduation ceremony. Rosie encourages Donna to travel as she wants to. Rosie and Tanya go on to follow their friend to the Greek island of Kalokairi, where they support Donna during her relationships with the three possible fathers of her unborn daughter. Shortly after Donna’s daughter, Sophie, was born, the trio parted ways. She married 3 different men, all of which cheated on her. She’s now in a single phase. 20 years after that, Tanya and Rosie, being invited by Donna, arrive on Kalokairi once again, and plan to help with Sophie's wedding. The three are bandmates and had a group called Donna and the Dynamo's. Tanya is a wealthy three-time divorcee, but she is not too full of herself, and uses her money to support Donna through renovations. Upon discovering that three of Donna's former lovers arrive on the island, she can not stand seeing Donna so unhappy. She convinces Rosie to lift her spirits and cheer her up, and leads her away from any distractions to her special day. She is later pursued by Sky's right-hand man, Pepper. Despite their age difference and Tanya's rejections he does not stop trying to seduce her. After Sky and Sophie agree to call off the wedding, Sam and Donna get married, to Tanya’s delight. Tanya is later seen dancing with Pepper at the reception, before rejecting him the day after the wedding ended. He still texts her sometimes. Now, it’s been a year, Sophie and Sky are traveling the world, and she’s back on the island with Rosie and Donna, having a girl’s month to get Donna’s mojo back.