[1] At the age of seventeen in Derba sang for the Mexican theater; she successfully transitioned from singing to acting in silent cinema.
She founded the first actors' union to foster the art of live theatre by negotiating wages, improving working conditions, and adding benefits like health and pension plans.
While Mimí Derba owned Azteca films, she directed and produced La tigresa, about Eva, a budding actress willing to do anything to be the main character in a cruel and painful romance.
Bruno later goes insane and admits himself into a madhouse where he is tormented with images of a tigress with Eva's face, attacking her in her delusions.
The cousin's plan almost works until they all end up at the same party one night, where she finds Julio, Enriqueta, and the other guests in a compromising situation.