Matos studied piano, singing and dramatic art at the Royal Conservatory of Lisbon, and for her final exam performed Rosas de Todo Ano, written by Júlio Dantas.

She debuted professionally at the D. Maria II National Theatre in the play Judas (1907).

She married in 1913 the actor Mendonça de Carvalho, who founded the theater company Maria Matos - Mendonça de Carvalho, a company that enjoyed considerable prestige in Portuguese theatre.

In 1940, she was appointed at the Conservatório Nacional de Teatro, where she was head of Theatrical aesthetics and Vocal coaching.

She also starred in other movies such as As Pupilas do Senhor Reitor (1935), Varanda dos Rouxinóis (1939) by José Leitão de Barros and A Morgadinha dos Canaviais (1949) by Caetano Bonucci and Amadeu Ferrari.