Annia Faustina was descended from an aristocratic family, her father and grandfather being former consuls. Her grandmothers were sisters, and daughters of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II. Annia was married to former consul and Moesian legatus Bassus. Elagabalus executed him and married Annia in early 221 A.D. It is said he forbid her to mourn her dead husband. Towards the end of the year, he divorced her; his plan was probably to produce a heir, related to the Antonines, and replace Severus Alexander. Next, he married Aquilia Severa again. Considering the great rarity of her coinage, their marriage might have lasted much less than the half year usualy quoted. Or, she was given the Augusta title shortly before the divorce.