Ling was a genetically-engineered Augment from Earth's 20th century, a follower of Khan Noonien Singh and survivor of the Eugenics Wars. Ling escaped Earth aboard the SS Botany Bay.
In 2267, the Botany Bay was discovered by the USS Enterprise, where Ling was among the 72 surviving members of Khan's original group of 84. (TOS: "Space Seed")
According to To Reign in Hell: The Exile of Khan Noonien Singh, Ling's first name was Suzette and she married Joaquin and became the mother of Joachim.