Born in Madrid, Abril became widely known in Spain in 1976 when she appeared for two years in the show Un, dos, tres... responda otra vez. In addition to working in Spain, she has made films in France, Italy, and Iceland. She has been nominated eight times for Goya Awards in the Lead Actress category and has won once. She won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 41st Berlin International Film Festival for her role in Amantes. Two years later, she was awarded with the Berlinale Camera at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival.
On 28 July 1977, Victoria Abril married Gustavo Laube, former footballer of the national team of Chile. The couple separated in early 1982.
Abril is also a singer. In 2005, she made her debut with a bossanova-jazz album called PutchEros do Brasil. She also tried to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with "Bang-Bang-Bang", but Betty Missiego was chosen instead.
