Born to Simón Arnao and María Pita circa 1556-1565, she dedicated her early life to working her own business in Peixería da Coruña.

After her husband fell mortally wounded, Pita, full of rage, snatched the spear carrying the banner from an English captain and killed him with it.

María Pita then appeared on the heights of the wall herself, shouting in Galician: Quen teña honra, que me siga ("Whoever has honour, follow me!")

Pita's heroic deeds were honoured and rewarded by Philip II, who granted her the pension of a military officer, which she received following the death of her husband who was killed during the battle.

Her fourth and final husband was Gil Bermúdez de Figueroa, a squire of the royal court, who died in 1613.