Born to a wealthy family, Gilda de Abreu began her career as a singer, performing in stage musicals and operettas.

She first started appearing in theater productions in 1936, when she starred in the romantic comedy Bonequinha de Seda, produced by Adhemar Gonzaga.

[1] She was one of the first women to direct films in Brazil, coming to renown for her directorial debut, O Ébrio (The Drunkard) in 1946.

It is still regarded as "one of the great successes of Brazilian Cinema", according to film historian João Luiz Vieira.

[2] After O Ébrio, Abreu directed Pinguinho de gente (Tiny Tot) in 1949 and Coração materno (Mother's Heart) in 1951.