She moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1953 and studied theater with Pascoal Carlos Magno.

Xavier acted in Orfeu da Conceição alongside Haroldo Costa, Léa Garcia, Cyro Monteiro, Dirce Paiva, Clementino Kelé, among others.

Xavier played the role of Dama Negra, which symbolized Death; she recited verses from Vinícius de Moraes and danced to atabaques, or Afro-Brazilian drumming.

[2] Xavier's film debut was in Assalto ao Trem Pagador in 1962, directed by Roberto Farias.

She played more than 50 characters on television, and was a cast member in Sinhá Moça, Dancin' Days, Renascer, Pátria Minha, Força de um Desejo, and the miniseries Tenda dos Milagres, where she played the mãe-de-santo Magé Bassã.