Emília Cândida Madeira was born in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon on 18 May 1823, the daughter of poor farmers.

She first danced on the stage at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, while her debut as an actor was in the city of Beja as part of a company organized by her cousin, the actor António Augusto Xavier de Macedo.

Soon making a name for herself, she returned to Lisbon, where she made her acting debut in the capital in November 1845 in a primitive circus shed that was the forerunner of the Teatro do Ginásio.

Soon after the opening the theatre was forced to close because of the so-called Revolution of Maria da Fonte, which were revolts against the prevailing government.

[1][2][3] Emília Cândida's career in the Ginásio was long and acclaimed, playing opposite actors such as Taborda, Amélia Vieira, Eugênia Câmara, Emília das Neves, Adelina Abranches and João Anastácio Rosa.