Erzsébet Patek was born and died in Budapest. After matriculating from Szilágyi Erzsébet High School in 1936, she obtained her diploma at the Department of Archaeology of Pázmány Péter University, run by the internationally reputed paleontologist and archaeologist András Alföldi. She also held an internship at her alma mater, followed by a one-year grant in Vienna. In 1942, Patek earned her doctorate in the humanities in Budapest. For five years thereafter, she served as librarian for the Municipal Szabó Ervin Library, while compiling the archaeological bibliography of Budapest on the side. Starting in 1946, Patek worked at the Department of Prehistory of the Castle Museum. Apart from her academic work, she filled several senior positions: in 1953, at the age of 35, she became head and vice-executive of the Department of Museums of the Ministry of Culture and later (1955–1958) deputy director reporting to László Gerevich at the Budapest Museum of History. Next, she carried on with her professional work at the Archaeological Research Group founded in 1958 by the Academy, then at its successor, the Institute for Archaeology, where she led the Archives, the topographical division, the Department of Ancient Archaeology, and finally at the Iron Age Research Group, until 1983. Erzsébet Patek was respected as a foremost archaeologist and known for her unfailingly good spirits, advanced networking skills, and eminently approachable, helpful character.