Zakaryan was born in Akhaltsikhe, Georgian SSR, and grew up in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of southern Georgia.

She entered the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory in 1957 and her singing talent soon became apparent.

Zakaryan was also known for singing the international opera repertoire as well as Armenian traditional and church music.

In July 1968, Zakaryan married the former priest Khoren Palian, also a noted singer of church music.

Zakaryan died in Yerevan, Armenia, and was buried at Saint Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin.