Mariangela Zappia is graduated in political science and international relations and holds a post-graduate degree in diplomatic and international relations at Universitá di Firenze. She joined the Foreign Service in 1983 when she was appointed to the Legal Service and later on to the Maghreb and Middle East Department of the Directorate General for Political Affairs.

She held different positions at the Italian Embassy in Dakar (1986–1990) and at the Consulate General in New York (1990–1993). Promoted Counsellor in 1993, she was in charge of the relations with Italian press and media at the Press and Information Service and Office of the Spokesperson of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Rome from 1994 to 1997.