Sônia Maria Campos Braga (born June 8, 1950) is a 3 times Golden Globe-nomited Brazilian actress. She was born in 1950 in Maringá, Paraná Brazil.
In 1975, she became famous in Brazil with the telenovela Gabriela (based on the book Gabriela, Cravo e Canela by Jorge Amado). She made another notable Jorge Amado adaptation, when she played the lead role in the film Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands ("Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos") in 1976. She made appearances in several Brazilian blockbuster films such as Lady on the Bus ("A Dama do Lotação") in 1978 and Eu Te Amo ("I Love You" in Portuguese) in 1981.
She achieved world fame with her title role in the film Gabriela, the silver screen adaptation of the Amado's novel, in 1983. Amado's story was set in Bahia in 1925, with Braga playing the part of a beautiful mulatto girl, Gabriela, who transforms the lives of many provincial inhabitants. Jorge Amado's romantic tale was to be Braga's stepping stone into the world of the US cinema. Consequently, she then moved to the United States where she acted in movies such as Kiss of the Spider Woman and Angel Eyes. She has guest starred in television series such as Alias, The Cosby Show, CSI: Miami, Sex and the City and Ghost Whisperer.
Her niece, Alice Braga, starred in the internationally acclaimed feature film, City of God and "I Am Legend", with Will Smith.
Braga has been romantically linked with Robert Redford and David Lee Roth.
Was involved for some years with Robert Redford (I).
Measurements: 34 1/2-24-36 1/2 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
She had to lose more than 10 kilogrammes to star in the movie "Tieta do Agreste".
Debut on stage in "Hair" in the end of the 1960's. First success on TV was in "Vila Sésamo", the Brazilian version for "Sesamo Street" (1972). Had first international success on big screen in 'Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos (1976)' (Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands).
Aunt of City of God's actress Alice Braga.
Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986
She's the fifth of seven children.
Sister of actress Ana Maria Braga (I), plastic artist Hélio Braga, actor Júlio Braga and Maria Braga.
Her father died when she was 8. Her mother is Maria José ("Zezé").
