Mari is the daughter of Spencer “Corky” & Marion Ahdosey Sahmaunt. Her paternal grandparents are the late Joel Sahmaunt & Carrie Quoetone Sahmaunt and the late Sara Frances Quetone. Her maternal grandparents were the late Richard & Clara Saupitty Ahdosey. Mari's great-grandparents are the late Luther & Virginia Stumblingbear Sahmaunt and the late Jimmy Quoetone & Be-Ko-Be-Ah. She is a descendent of Chief Stumblingbear (Set-Imkia), one of the Kiowa chiefs who signed the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty of 1867.

Her Kiowa name was given to her by her aunt Gladys Sahmaunt Shunkamolah in June 1979, at Cache, Oklahoma. She is a 1979 graduate of Washington Monroe High School in Portland, OR. After her reign as Kiowa Princess, Mari was chosen by the late Kenneth Anquoe to be the 1983 Tulsa Powwow Princess at Mohawk Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In May 2004, Mari received her Bachelors of Science degree in Multimedia Design from Cameron University, Lawton, OK. She received her Associates of Science degree in Multimedia Design in December 2003. While attending Cameron University, Mari was on the Dean’s Honor Roll for the Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Summer 2002, and Fall 2003 semesters and the President’s List for the Summer 2003 semester.

She has served as the Women’s Ministries secretary at her church, the Victory Assembly of God in Anadarko, OK and also did parent volunteer work at Riverside Indian School. She has a daughter, Kristen Ahtone, a son, C.J. Ahtone, and a granddaughter, Trinity Rae Ahtone.

Exposition Princesses During Mari's Reign: Gwyn Guy (Apache), Marlene Hamilton (Arapaho), Yonavea Gunn (Caddo), Jan Yeahquo (Comanche), Carol Moore (Delaware), Jackie Kawaykla (Ft. Sill Apache), Sandra Dee Taylor (Iowa), Mari Frances Sahmaunt (Kiowa), Carolyn Shannon (Osage), Denise Plumley (Otoe-Missouria), Connie Moore (Pawnee), Roberta Davilla (Ponca), and Benetta Reeder (Wichita)