Maria Luisa Mendonça's mother is Lygia Maria Mendonça, a plastic artist. Her father is Newton Mendonça, a lawyer. Maria Luisa has a daughter with Rogério Gallo: Júlia. When she was 8, her older sister, Maria Fernanda, died.
She likes to paint and to sculpture. In 2006 she made her debut as a theater director with the play "Essa nossa juventude". She was also the play's producer. She has a theater formation. Maria Luisa started her career in 1987 with the theater play "Véu de Noiva".
Mother of Júlia, Maria Luisa Mendonça was once married to Rogério Gallo, director and producer.
She was nominated for a Grande Prémio Cinema Brasil for best actress for "Coração Iluminado" (1998).
She was nominated for a Grande Prémio Cinema Brasil for best actress for "Carandiru" (2003).
She was first noticed by the public with the soap "Renascer" where she played Buba.
She studied in Casa das Artes das Laranjeiras (Laranjeiras Art House).
She studied in Tablado Theater and she did some mimic courses in France.