Samina was born into a Kashmiri family in Lahore, but was raised in Karachi, Sindh Pakistan. After graduating in commerce she chose to pursue a career in acting. After many successful years of acting in television dramas and minor roles in television advertisements Samina was cast in starring roles in several films.

She married Usmaan Peerzada, a fellow media personality, in 1975. The couple have two daughters, Anum and Amal. Their younger daughter Amal is a miniature artist.