Letschert was born in
Doetinchem on 13 September 1976. Her parents were from
Amsterdam. She moved at an early age to
Stiphout in the municipality of
Helmond. In Helmond she attended high school. Letschert studied law at Tilburg University, the
University of Amsterdam and the
University of Montpellier. She obtained her
PhD at Tilburg University with a thesis titled
The impact of minority rights mechanisms (2005), dealing with competing international organisations making policy on national minorities. In March 2011 Letschert was appointed as professor to the new chair of victimology and international law at Tilburg University. Several years later Letschert contemplated leaving academia. Her research focused on the impact of international tribunals on societies and individuals that have been confronted with human rights violations and international crimes. Apart from her position as professor she served as director of the International Victimology Institute Tilburg (INTERVICT). In 2016 Letschert was asked to become dean of the Law faculty of Tilburg University. However, on 1 September 2016 she was appointed as
rector of
Maastricht University. She therefore laid down her position as professor of victimology. In April 2015 she became chairperson. Letschert was a Schermer Fellow at the
Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the period between February and June 2016. In November 2021 she became president of the board of Maastricht University, succeeding
Martin Paul. In February 2022 Letschert laid down her role as rector. As president of the board Letschert was a vocal opponent of the proposed budget cuts by the
Schoof cabinet to international students. In September 2025 she was elected to another term as president of the board. ==Political activity==