Berta Ferreira Milheiro Nunes was born in Santa Maria da Feira in the Aveiro District of Portugal on 25 October 1955.

She was a member of the Advisory Council and the Commission of the Federação Nacional dos Médicos (National Federation of Medical Unions - FNAM) from 1992 to 1995.

In 1996 she received a PhD in Community Medicine from the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, with a thesis entitled "Ideas and Practices of the Laity in relation to the Body and Health".

[1][2][3][4] In 2009, as a member of the Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), she was elected as President of the Alfândega da Fé City Council.

After the elections, when António Costa, the leader of the PS, retained the role of Prime Minister, Nunes was appointed as Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities.