Biography
Who is Sônia Braga?
Early life and education
Sônia Braga was born in Maringá, Brazil. Her parents were Hélio Fernando Ferraz Braga and Maria Braga Jaci Campos. Her mother worked as a costume designer. Her family and four siblings lived in Curitiba and Campinas. Sônia went to a convent school in São Paulo after her father died when she was 8. In her teens, she worked as a receptionist at Buffet Torres. This company provided catering for events and weddings.
Start in television and theater
Sônia began her acting career at 14 on TV Tupi. She appeared in teleteatros and children's shows like Jardim Encantado. Her brother Hélio also presented that program. She later joined a theater group in Santo André. Her first play was George Dandin when she was 17. In 1968, she joined the Brazilian cast of the musical Hair. Producer Altair Lima pushed for her to join the cast. She worked with actors Ney Latorraca and Antônio Fagundes. The show ran for three years despite censorship.
National fame in Brazil
Sônia became widely known through Vila Sésamo in 1972. In 1975, she starred in Gabriela, which was based on a novel by Jorge Amado. Director Walter Avancini led the production. This role made her a global sex symbol. She played another Jorge Amado character in the 1976 film Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands. This movie was directed by Bruno Barreto. She also starred in the 1983 film Gabriela with Marcello Mastroianni. Other roles included Julia Matos in the 1978 show Dancin' Days.
International career and Hollywood
Sônia moved to the United States and lived there for 14 years. She became an American citizen in 2003. Her role in Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1985 earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She received another nomination for Moon over Parador in 1988. In 1987, she became the first Brazilian person to present during the Oscars. She appeared with Michael Douglas and Goldie Hawn. She also acted in The Milagro Beanfield War. In 1994, she earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for The Burning Season. This film focused on activist Chico Mendes.
Recent work and family
Sônia returned to Brazilian television in 1999 for Força de um Desejo. She played a retired music writer in the 2016 film Aquarius. This movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Other recent films include Fatima and Bacurau. She appeared in the series Alias and Sex and the City. The New York Times ranked her among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century in 2020. Sônia is the aunt of actress Alice Braga. Her partners included David Lee Roth and Robert Redford. She was married to Antonio Guerreiro.
Birthday and age
Sônia Braga was born on June 8, 1950, which makes Sônia 76 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Sônia shares the date with 57 other famous people.
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