Maria Amélia da Cruz Lobo Videira was born in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon on 18 June 1945.

She wanted to be an actress from a young age but this was vetoed by her mother who would not allow her to attend the National Conservatory of Lisbon to train as an actor.

Her first television performance was with the series Histórias com Pés e Cabeça (Stories with Feet and Head), a children's programme.

Other series she performed in included Lá em Casa Tudo Bem (Back at home everything is fine), Clube das Chaves (Club of Keys), A Minha Sogra é uma Bruxa (My mother-in-law is a witch), Querido Professor (Dear Professor), Destino Imortal, and Chiquititas.

She also participated, either as a trainer or as a speaker, in colloquia, seminars and congresses linked to the areas of art education, and intellectual disability.