Sônia Braga

Sônia Maria Campos Braga is a highly celebrated Brazilian actress, who is recognized globally for her acting prowess. Born on the 8th of June, 1950, Sonia's career kicked off in 1967 and she has since then been active with a vast portfolio of impressive roles. Sonia made her name in the English-speaking world with her Golden Globe Award-nominated roles in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' (1985) and 'Moon over Parador' (1988). Her performance in the television film 'The Burning Season' (1994) also earned her nominations for the Emmy Award and another Golden Globe. Sonia was the pioneer Brazilian who presented a category at the Oscars. Besides these, she has shown her acting versatility in many other television series and films like 'The Cosby Show' (1986), 'Sex and the City' (2001), 'American Family' (2002), and 'Alias' (2005) among others. In 2020, her prowess as an actor was further underscored when The New York Times ranked her as the 24th Greatest Actor of the 21st Century.

Her early life was punctuated by hardship — she lost her father when she was 8 years old and subsequently attended a convent school in São Paulo. While working as a receptionist in her teens, she got an opportunity to take small acting roles in children's programs. She gradually rose to fame, becoming a household name with her role in the children's television series 'Vila Sésamo' in 1972. Sonia's significant breakthrough came when she starred in soap operas like 'Gabriela' and 'Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands', which were major successes both nationally and internationally. Further cementing her legacy in the film industry she starred in established films like 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and 'Eu Te Amo', winning numerous accolades. Having dedicated her life to acting, Sonia has lived in the United States for 14 years and has also got her American citizenship. Her personal life reveals she never intended to have children due to professional ambitions and she underwent four abortions.