Assad was born Asma Akhras on 11 August 1975 in London to Fawaz Akhras, a cardiologist at the Cromwell Hospital, and his wife Sahar Akhras (), a retired diplomat who served as First Secretary at the Syrian Embassy in London [REF].
She grew up in Acton, London, where she went to Twyford Church of England High School and later a private girls' school, Queen's College, London [REF].