She was born in what is today the state of Bahia (dates unknown) and was married to Portuguese sailor Diogo Álvares Correia, also known as "Caramuru".

[2][3] Her father, the cacique of the Tupinambás, offered her as a wife to Correia, since he was a prominent figure among the Indians.

She is buried at the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Igreja da Graça), in Salvador, Bahia.

Trusting in the mystic qualities of her dreams, Caramuru told the people to search everywhere around the shores.

Days later, Catarina dreamed again of the same woman, who told her to build a house for her in her village.