Ellie was born into a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection that turned most of humanity into infected creatures. Raised in a quarantine zone in Boston, she experienced oppression and fear from a young age, which forged her into a resilient survivor. When she was discovered to be immune to the infection after a traumatic event led to separation from childhood friend Riley, Ellie caught the attention of the revolutionary group known as the Fireflies. Through harrowing adventures alongside Joel, a hardened survivor, Ellie navigated the brutal realities of this new world, falling in love, facing unimaginable loss, and growing from a naive girl into a fierce warrior. Her character evolves through each encounter, revealing themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the inherent struggle between innocence and survival. Ellie's journey across various forms of media—video games, television adaptations, and comics—has solidified her status as an iconic figure in gaming and pop culture, embodying the fight against despair in a desolate world.