[1] She was a recipient of the Premio Planeta de Novela.

Portal held a degree in philosophy and literature and a PhD in Information Sciences, and taught Hispano-American literature at the Complutense University of Madrid.

[2][3] In her work as a journalist she wrote news articles and literary criticism, as well as opinion columns in media such as ABC, El Alcázar, and Pueblo [es].

[3] As a novelist, she discussed issues of women's education and double standards.

In 2001, the city council of her native town inaugurated the Casa de Cultura Marta Portal in her honor.