Débora Susan Sanches Duke was born on January 2, 1950, in São Paulo. Daughter of actress Marisa Sanches and a musician, her mother married Lima Duarte when her daughter was only one year old. Lima adopted her as a foster father and she adopted her father's stage name.
She made her debut when she was five years old, around 1955, when she was cast by Vida Alves to act in a series on Tupi. Her talent for the performing arts was evident since childhood. In the following decade, she acted in several soap operas and teletheaters, including appearances on Tupi, Excelsior and Bandeirantes. Her first major role came in 1968, as Lu in Beto Rockfeller. This role earned her a Troféu Imprensa and a Troféu Roquette Pinto for best actress.
She made her debut on Globo in 1972, starring in the soap operas Bicho do Mato and A Patota. In 1975, she stood out when she played Vilminha in Pecado Capital. In 1977, she made a brief comeback on Tupi, playing Carola in O Profeta. In the following years, she appeared in productions such as Coração Alado (1980), Jogo da Vida (1981), Anarquistas, Graças a Deus, Sonho Meu (1993), Pátria Minha (1994), Explode Coração (1995) and Terra Nostra (1999).
From the 2000s onwards, she acted in Porto dos Milagres (2001), Como uma Onda (2004), Paraíso Tropical (2007), Cordel Encantado (2011), Side by Side (2012) and Ambitious Woman (2015). She also played the villain Teresa in SBT's Canavial de Paixões in 2003. She was also part of the cast of the Netflix series Lady Voyeur. She won the APCA Trophy for Best Actress in 1984 for her work in Corpo a Corpo, Anarquistas, Graças a Deus and Padre Cícero. She has two actress daughters: Daniela Duarte, born in 1975, from her marriage to Gracindo Jr.; and Paloma Duarte, born in 1977, from her relationship with singer Antônio Marcos.
The Enchanted Cave
Dona Clélia · (270 episodes)
2024
Lady Voyeur
Dona Esther · (10 episodes)
2023
In Your Place
Eva · (3 episodes)
2021
Perdido
Tia Pérola · (13 episodes)
2020
Ambitious Women
Celina Junqueira · (143 episodes)
2015
Sexo e as Negas
Rosimere · (13 episodes)
2014
Side by Side
Eulália Praxedes · (154 episodes)
2012
Cordel Encantado
Amália dos Anjo · (143 episodes)
2011
Tempos Modernos
Tertuliana (Tertu) · (161 episodes)
2010
Três Irmãs
Florinda Áquila · (179 episodes)
2008
Toma Lá, Dá Cá
Moacira Júnior · (1 episode)
2007
Paraíso Tropical
Hermínia Vilela · (179 episodes)
2007
Como uma Onda
Alice Prata · (179 episodes)
2004
Canavial de Paixões
Teresa Giácomo · (116 episodes)
2003
Romeu e Julieta
Mãe de Romeu
2003
Brava Gente
Adrenalina Tupinambá · (1 episode)
2000
Terra Nostra
Maria do Socorro · (221 episodes)
1999
Hilda Furacão
Sãozinha (Conceição Drummond) · (32 episodes)
1998
A Justiceira
Marta · (1 episode)
1997
Explode Coração
Marisa Carvalho Diaz · (155 episodes)
1995
Young Hearts
Leila Schmidt · (277 episodes)
1995
Pátria Minha
Karmita Bevilaqua · (203 episodes)
1994
Golden Dream
Mariana de Souza · (197 episodes)
1993
Cortina de Vidro
Giovana · (168 episodes)
1989
Bebê a Bordo
Joana Mendonça (dona Mendonça) · (209 episodes)
1988
The Girl Next Door
1987
Partido Alto
Laura · (174 episodes)
1984
Domingo em Família
Dora
1983
Elas por Elas
Rosa · (1 episode)
1982
Pontal da Solidão
1976
Céleste
Céleste Pereira
1970
Fatalidade
Corpo a Corpo
Eloá Pellegrini · (179 episodes)
1984
Anarquistas, Graças a Deus
Angelina Gattai · (9 episodes)
1984
Padre Cícero
Maria de Araújo · (20 episodes)
1984
Parabéns pra Você
Maria Rita · (13 episodes)
1983
Jogo da Vida
Beatriz · (167 episodes)
1981
Amizade Colorida
(1 episode)
1981
Coração Alado
Camila Karany (Catucha) · (185 episodes)
1980
Cara a Cara
Regina · (222 episodes)
1979
O Profeta
Carola · (162 episodes)
1977
The Bunglers
Ela mesma (entregando a taça para a seleção carioca de basquete paralímpico) · (1 episode)
1977
Anjo Mau
Sônia · (1 episode)
1976
Pecado Capital
Vilma Lisboa (Vilminha) · (167 episodes)
1975
Escalada
Inês · (199 episodes)
1975
O Espigão
Dora · (150 episodes)
1974
Carinhoso
Marisa · (9 episodes)
1973
The Return Of The Rockefeller
Lu (flashback) · (198 episodes)
1973
A Patota
Neli · (106 episodes)
1972
Bicho do Mato
Ruth · (167 episodes)
1972
Editora Mayo, Bom Dia
Jô · (102 episodes)
1971
Toninho on the Rocks
Anita · (85 episodes)
1970
As Bruxas
Stella · (106 episodes)
1970
Albert, the Rockefeller
Lu · (281 episodes)
1968
O Décimo Mandamento
Mariana · (105 episodes)
1968
O Grande Segredo
Nina · (145 episodes)
1967