A first generation American, Julia Makarem was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. In 1961, she met Sami Makarem from Aytat, Lebanon at the American Druze Society Annual Convention in Flint, Michigan. At this Convention, Julia was elected National President of the American Druze Society of North America. In 1962, she and Sami Makarem were married in Detroit, Michigan, and they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Sami was a graduate student completing a PhD. Julia presided at the Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois shortly after their marriage while Sami and Julie were on their honeymoon. The following year, 1963, Sami received his PhD., their first child, Sahar, was born, and they left for Lebanon where they settled and made their home. They both taught at the American University of Beirut. They have four children, Sahar Nabil Kadi, Rand Nabil Kaidbay, and twins Nassib and Samir. Nassib is married to Raya Munif Naaman, and Samir is married to Lama Fawzi Abed. They have ten grandchildren: Bassel and Rayyan Kadi; Ranil, Lea, Rae, and Daniel Kaidbay; Jad and Rany Samir Makarem, and Lynn and Lea Nassib Makarem. The family now lives in the United States. Julie and Sami Makarem lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan until 1963 when they moved to Lebanon. They lived in Beirut where they bought their first home in 1964.
Julie and Sami bought the Talhouk Castle in Aytat, Lebanon in 1970. Julie and Sami spent ten years renovating the Castle, and during this time, Julie sought and found the many pieces of antique furniture which now can be seen in the Castle (see pictures on website below).