They were both students at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon but, after the overthrow of the Estado Novo regime in April 1974, she interrupted her studies to accompany her husband to the Portuguese colony of Angola, as he had volunteered to do military service there.

As a consequence of the outbreak of the civil war in Angola, and before Portugal could withdraw all of its troops, the couple made their way to South Africa, where they were accommodated in a Red Cross refugee camp.

[1][2][3] Pinto's political career began in 1992, when he was appointed Undersecretary of State for Culture in the 12th constitutional government, headed by Aníbal Cavaco Silva.

In 1995 she was elected to the Assembly of the Republic as an independent deputy on the list of the CDS – People's Party (CDS-PP), representing Lisbon.

In 1998, after poor election results, the leader of the CDS-PP Manuel Monteiro resigned and Paulo Portas beat Pinto in the ensuing leadership contest.

She did not win but became the councillor with responsibility for social housing, playing an important role in promoting the revitalization of parts of Lisbon.