Who Is Carmen Miranda? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on February 9, 1909, Carmen Miranda was a trailblazer in the world of entertainment. By 2025, she would have been 116 years old. Known for her vibrant personality and unique style, she became a national symbol of Brazil. Even decades after her passing in 1955, Miranda's influence still resonates with fans around the globe. Her work in film and music helped to popularize Brazilian culture and samba music.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1909 |
| Age | 46 Years |
| Birth Place | Marco de Canaveses, Kingdom of Portugal |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Portugal |
| Date of death | 5 August, 1955 |
| Died Place | Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Carmen Miranda's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Carmen Miranda stood at approximately 5 feet (1.52 m) tall and maintained a weight of around 120 pounds (54 kg) during her peak years. Her measurements often reflected her dynamic stage presence, though exact figures from 2025 revisit her famous curves and charismatic style without necessarily adhering to modern standards of body image.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Carmen was married to musician David Sebastian from 1933 until their separation in 1947. Despite the ups and downs in her marriage, Miranda's relationships often highlighted her passionate nature. Throughout her career, she was linked with several notable figures; however, as of 2025, her personal life remains a topic of interest largely in historical context rather than contemporary dating status.
The family's emigration to Brazil was already scheduled; however, upon finding herself pregnant, Carmen Miranda's mother preferred to wait for her daughter's birth. In 1909, her father emigrated to Brazil and settled in Rio de Janeiro, where he opened a barber shop.
Her mother followed in 1910 with their daughters, Olinda (1907–1931) and Carmen, who was less than a year old. Although Carmen never returned to Portugal, she retained her Portuguese nationality. In Brazil, her parents had four more children: Amaro (1912–1988), Cecilia (1913–2011), Aurora (1915–2005) and Óscar (born 1916).
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death in 1955, Carmen Miranda had amassed a substantial fortune, which was estimated to be around $1 million, a significant sum for that era. If adjusted for inflation, her legacy in terms of wealth would be far greater today. Even in 2025, the value of her estate, which includes performances, music royalties, and memorabilia, continues to contribute to her net worth, but exact figures remain speculative.
Producer Lee Shubert offered Miranda an eight-week contract to perform in The Streets of Paris on Broadway after seeing her perform in 1939 at Rio's Cassino da Urca. Although she was interested in performing in New York, she refused to accept the deal unless Shubert agreed to also hire her band, the Bando da Lua.
He refused, saying that there were many capable musicians in New York who could back her. Miranda remained steadfast, feeling that North American musicians would not be able to authenticate the sounds of Brazil. Shubert compromised, agreeing to hire the six band members but not paying for their transport to New York.
President Getúlio Vargas, recognizing the value to Brazil of Miranda's tour, announced that the Brazilian government would pay for the band's transportation on the Moore-McCormack Lines between Rio and New York.
Vargas believed that Miranda would foster ties between the northern and southern hemispheres and act as a goodwill ambassador in the United States, increasing Brazil's share of the American coffee market. Miranda took the official sanction of her trip and her duty to represent Brazil to the outside world seriously.
She left for New York on the SS Uruguay on 4 May 1939, a few months before World War II.
Career, Business and Investments
Carmen Miranda's career soared during the 1930s and 1940s, when she became a sensation in the United States, making her the first Latin American star to achieve such fame in Hollywood. Her iconic fruit-laden headdresses became a cultural symbol. Posthumously, her likeness has been used in products, revived movies, and stage performances, showcasing her lasting impact on pop culture. While specific investments from 2025 are not documented, Miranda's storied career set a foundation for future entertainers, inspiring countless artists worldwide.
Miranda made 14 Hollywood films between 1940 and 1953. Although she was hailed as a talented performer, her popularity waned by the end of World War II. Miranda came to resent the stereotypical "Brazilian Bombshell" image she had cultivated and attempted to free herself of it with limited success.
She focused on nightclub appearances and became a fixture on television variety shows. Despite being stereotyped, Miranda's performances popularized Brazilian music and increased public awareness of Latin culture.
In 1941, she was the first Latin American star to be invited to leave her hand and footprints in the courtyard of Grauman's Chinese Theatre and was the first South American honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Miranda is considered the precursor of Brazil's 1960s Tropicalismo cultural movement.
A museum was built in Rio de Janeiro in her honor and she was the subject of the documentary Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business (1995).
Social Network
Although Miranda passed away well before the advent of social media, her spirit lives on through various online forums, fan pages, and social media accounts dedicated to her legacy. Fans actively share memories, memorabilia, and tributes on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, keeping her story vibrant in the digital age.
The Shuberts brought Miranda back to Broadway, teaming her with Olsen and Johnson, Ella Logan, and the Blackburn Twins in the musical revue Sons o' Fun on 1 December 1941.
The show was a hodgepodge of slapstick, songs, and skits; according to New York Herald Tribune theater critic Richard Watts Jr., "In her eccentric and highly personalized fashion, Miss Miranda is by way of being an artist and her numbers give the show its one touch of distinction." On 1 June 1942, she left the production when her Shubert contract e
xpired; meanwhile, she recorded for Decca Records.
Miranda was encouraged by the US government as part of Roosevelt's Good Neighbor policy, designed to strengthen ties with Latin America. It was believed that performers like her would give the policy a favorable impression with the American public.
Miranda's contract with 20th Century Fox lasted from 1941 to 1946, coinciding with the creation and activities of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. The goal of the OCIAA was to obtain support from Latin American society and its governments for the United States.
Education
Carmen Miranda was educated in a music and dance school that nurtured her talents. While specific details about her formal education are sparse, her artistic upbringing laid the groundwork for her illustrious career. Her roots in classical music and dance informed her performances, making her a multifaceted artist.
Miranda's next screen performance was in the musical Hello, Hello Brazil! (1935), in which she performed its closing number: the marcha "Primavera no Rio", which she had recorded for Victor in August 1934.
Several months after the film's release, according to Cinearte magazine, "Carmen Miranda is currently the most popular figure in Brazilian cinema, judging by the sizeable correspondence that she receives". In her next film, Estudantes (1935), she had a speaking part for the first time.
Miranda played Mimi, a young radio singer (who performs two numbers in the film) who falls in love with a university student (played by singer Mário Reis).
