Ilva Niño

Ilva Niño
Born
Ilva Niño Mendonça

(1933-11-15)November 15, 1933
DiedJune 12, 2024(2024-06-12) (aged 90)
OccupationActress • Theater director • Producer • Theater teacher
Years active1956–2024
Spouse
Luiz Mendonça
​
​
(m. 1963; died 1995)​
AwardsNational Amateur Festival
1957: Best Actress – O Auto da Compadecida

Ilva Niño Mendonça (November 15, 1933 – June 12, 2024) was a Brazilian actress, director, and theater teacher.[1][2] Throughout an artistic career that spanned eight decades, she was particularly notable in television and theater, immortalizing numerous characters, many of whom represented women from the Northeast or domestic workers.[3][4]

In 1957, she won the Best Actress award at the National Amateur Festival for her performance in the play O Auto da Compadecida by Ariano Suassuna as the ‘Baker's Wife’.[5][6] From then on, she continued to act in a series of plays, founding the Luiz Mendonça Ninõ Theater of Arts, a tribute to her husband, actor and director Luiz Mendonça (who died in 1995), where she taught art classes for many years.[7]

From the 1970s onwards, she became a regular feature in various soap operas and programs on TV Globo, playing maids, housewives, and women from the Northeast, helpful women with strong personalities, such as the long-suffering Alzira in Pecado Capital, the dreamer Cotinha in Sem Lenço, sem Documento (No Handkerchief, No ID, 1978), the grumpy Iara in Partido Alto (1984), the religious Sister Teresa in Terra Nostra (1999), the cangaceira Cândida in Cordel Encantado (2011), and Epifânia from Piauí in Cheias de Charme (2012). However, in 1985, she experienced one of the most memorable moments of her career, playing the submissive Mina in Roque Santeiro, a maid who suffered at the hands of her boss, Viúva Porcina, played by Regina Duarte, who yelled the catchphrase “Minaaaa!” every time she called the maid.

Biography

The actress was born in Pernambuco, in the city of Floresta, on November 15, 1933.[1][8] She is a film and theater actress, but mainly a television actress. Ilva moved to Rio de Janeiro shortly after the military dictatorship of 1964.[9] She was brought to television in the 1970s by author Dias Gomes.[10] The actress is the widow of theater director Luiz Mendonça and is the mother of the late actor Luiz Carlos Niño.[11]

Always playing supporting roles, Ilva Niño has had a long career in television, appearing in more than 30 soap operas and several series, all of which were broadcast by TV Globo. Among her many soap operas, she is still remembered today for her role as the maid Mina in Roque Santeiro, when the entertaining Viúva Porcina (Regina Duarte) immortalized the catchphrase “Miiiiiiiiiiinaaaaaa” whenever she needed the maid.[12] Ilva is well known for almost always playing a maid in soap operas.[12][13]

Her television debut came in 1971, acting in Bandeira 2, a soap opera by Dias Gomes in the 10 p.m. slot, playing Santa, one of the members of the family of migrants from the northeast of Brazil led by Severino (played by actor Sebastião Vasconcelos).[14] She returned to the small screen three years later in Corrida do Ouro, where she played Jandira.[15]

From then on, Ilva landed several roles in soap operas. In 1975, she played Filomena, the maid in Gabriela, and Alzira, the mother of the protagonist in Pecado Capital.[16][17]

In 1977, she played one of the main maids in Sem Lenço, sem Documento, in which she played Cotinha, the eldest sister of the four maids, a very funny woman who was in love with the voice of a radio announcer.[18] She then appeared in several productions on Rede Globo, such as Água Viva[19], Jogo da Vida[20], Lampião e Maria Bonita[21], and Quem Ama Não Mata.[22]

In 1984, she stood out in the prime-time soap opera Partido Alto, playing the gossipy Iara, the terror of the neighborhood, foul-mouthed and talkative, always present in the events of the soap opera.[23] In 1985, she played the unforgettable Mina in Roque Santeiro.[12]

She accumulated several other roles at TV Globo, such as: the welcoming Belmira in O Outro[24], the long-suffering Mainha in Bebê a Bordo[25], the cook Anésia in O Sexo dos Anjos[26], the maid Naninha in Pedra Sobre Pedra[9], and another maid, Neide, in Tropicaliente.[27] In 1995, she joined the cast of Manoel Carlos' História de Amor, where she played the cook Chica, who worked for Rômulo Sampaio (Cláudio Corrêa e Castro) and Zuleika Sampaio (Eva Wilma).[28] In 1996, she made a special appearance in O Rei do Gado as Joana.[29] In 1997, she appeared in Por Amor as the housekeeper Dalva.[30]

In 1999, she appeared in two primetime soap operas, one after the other: Suave Veneno as Valdomiro's (José Wilker) maid, Zezé[31], and Terra Nostra as the nun Teresa.[32] She participated in the first phase of Aguinaldo Silva's soap opera Porto dos Milagres in 2001.[33] She made a special appearance in the 2002 season of Malhação.[34]

After special appearances in Senhora do Destino, Alma Gêmea, and Pé na Jaca, she joined the cast of Walcyr Carrasco's soap opera Sete Pecados, playing the maid Marli.[35][36][37][38]

In 2009, she played Ernestina, a sweet maid in Cama de Gato.[39] In 2011, she returned to soap operas playing the cangaceira Cândida in Cordel Encantado.[40][41] In 2012, she played Epifânia in Cheias de Charme, in which she was the mother of the comical Socorro (Titina Medeiros) and was contacted by singer Chayene (Cláudia Abreu) to work as her personal midwife, until she discovered that her pregnancy was a hoax.[42] In 2013, she was in the cast of Saramandaia, as the housekeeper Cleide.[43]

In 2016, after three years away from TV recovering from intestinal cancer, she returned to acting in Malhação: Pro Dia Nascer Feliz, playing Damiana, the grandmother of the protagonist Joana.[44]

Her last appearance in soap operas was a special guest role in Aguinaldo Silva's O Outro Lado do Paraíso in 2018.[45]

Personal life

She was the widow of playwright and theater director Luiz Mendonça, to whom she was married from 1957 to 1995.[46] Together they had one son, actor Luiz Carlos Niño, who died in 2005 at the age of 40.[47]

Ilva was also the director and teacher at the “Niño de Artes Luiz Mendonça” theater school, which she founded in 2003 in honor of her husband, and a theater teacher at Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, both in Rio de Janeiro.[7]

Death

In early 2014, Ilva took a break from her artistic work to treat intestinal cancer, from which she recovered in 2016.[48]

She died on June 12, 2024, at the age of 90.[48] The actress had been hospitalized since May 13 at Quali Hospital in Ipanema neighborhood, after undergoing heart surgery to treat respiratory, digestive, and kidney complications, which culminated in multiple organ failure.[49][50][51]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1971Bandeira 2Santa de Jesus Barbosa (Santinha)
1973Caso EspecialSenhoraEpisode: "O Duelo"
1974Corrida do OuroJandira
1975GabrielaDona FilomenaEpisode: "14 de abril"
Pecado CapitalAlzira Batista
1977Sem Lenço, sem DocumentoMaricota Galvão (Cotinha)
1978Caso EspecialPiYear's wifeEpisode: "A Enxada"
1979Feijão MaravilhaFilomena
1980Água VivaAntônia
1982Jogo da VidaMariúcha's motherEpisode: "8 de maio"
Quem Ama Não MataHelena
Lampião e Maria BonitaOdete Conceição de Oliveira
1983Guerra dos SexosWoman in the jungleEpisode: "6 de junho"
Caso VerdadeAméliaEpisode: "Chico Xavier, Um Infinito Amor"
1984Partido AltoIara de Jesus
1985Roque SanteiroFilismina (Mina)
1987O OutroBelmira Pescolato Silveira
1988Bebê a BordoMaria Bezerra (Mainha)
1989O Sexo dos AnjosAnésia
1992Você DecideGenovevaEpisode: "Cigarra ou Formiga"
Pedra sobre PedraNaninha
1993Contos de VerãoNeusa
Você DecideElzaEpisode: "Faça a Coisa Certa"
1994Confissões de AdolescenteDona SebastianaEpisode: "Ainda Não!"
TropicalienteNeide
1995História de AmorChica
1996O Rei do GadoJoana
1997Caça TalentosMadame EsmeraldaEpisode: "Na Palma da Mão"
Por AmorDalva
1998Você DecideMariaEpisode: "A Volta por Cima"
1999Suave VenenoMaria José (Zezé)
Terra NostraIrmã LetíciaEpisodes: "21–26 de outubro"
2000MalhaçãoYolanda
2001Porto dos MilagresValderice
2002MalhaçãoSister Teresa de Almeida
2004 Sítio do Picapau Amarelo Tonha TimbóEpisode: "A Estrada"
Senhora do DestinoSeverina Pimentel (Dona Bil)Episode: "28 de junho"
2005Alma GêmeaAlmerindaEpisodes: "25–27 de junho"
2006Um Menino muito MaluquinhoIrene
Pé na JacaSanta Mangabeira de Arrabal
2007Sete PecadosMarli Pereira
2008Duas CarasRisoletaEpisodes: "26–28 de março"
Faça Sua HistóriaDalvaEpisode: "Álbum de Família"
Guerra e PazNanáEpisode: "O Belo e as Feras"
2009Toma Lá, Dá CáDona DamianaEpisode: "O Anel que Tu me Deste"
Cama de GatoErnestina Tibiriçá
2011Cordel EncantadoCândida Araújo
2012Cheias de CharmeMaria Epifânia Cordeiro de Jesus
2013SaramandaiaCleide Neves Tavares
2016Mister BrauDona ZoraideEpisode: "24 de maio"
Malhação: Pro Dia Nascer FelizDamiana Miranda
2017 Planeta B Dona Fofinha Episode: "A Franga Passou!"
2018 O Outro Lado do Paraíso Sebastiana Almeida (Tiana) Episodes: "19–20 de fevereiro"
2019–21 Os Roni Dona Santinha
2020 Rua do Sobe e Desce, Número que Desaparece Janice Episode: "4 de agosto"

Cinema

YearTitleRoleNotes
1971André, a Cara e a CoragemCarolina
Como Ganhar na Loteria sem Perder a EsportivaZefa
1972Cassy Jones, o Magnífico SedutorProstitute
1973Aladim e a Lâmpada MaravilhosaCustomer complaining about the elixir
1975Com Um Grilo na MãoRosa
Uma Mulata Para Todos
1976Crueldade MortalJosefina
1980O Escolhido de IemanjáMother of the accident victim
1981 Amor e Traição Only vocals
1982Piranha de Véu e GrinaldaRaimunda
Insônia Segment: "Dois Dedos"
1986Com Licença, Eu Vou à LutaOtávio's mother
Ópera do MalandroDóris Pelanca
Vento Sul
1987Leila DinizBabysitter
Fronteira das AlmasVictim of land grabbers
1990StelinhaBeggar
2011Federal Bank HeistMarisa Mello
2016Minha Mãe é Uma Peça 2Zezé
2019LamentoOtilia

Theater

Year Title Role of Ilva Niño Author Premiere Date Notes
1956 O Auto da Compadecida Actress Ariano Suassuna September 11, 1956 Her breakthrough role; won Best Actress at the National Amateur Festival in 1957
1961 A Derradeira Ceia Actress Early theater work in Pernambuco/Rio transition period
1962 Julgamento em Novo Sol Actress May 5, 1962
1962 A Incelença Actress December 29, 1962 Later remounted/directed by others (e.g., Camilla Amado in 2013)
1963 Estórias do Mato: A Afilhada de Nossa Senhora da Conceição Actress September 15, 1963 Part of a cycle of regional stories
1963 Estórias do Mato: A Incelença Actress September 15, 1963 Likely a companion piece or remount in the same series
1966 Se Correr o Bicho Pega, Se Ficar o Bicho Come Actress Dias Gomes & Ferreira Gullar April 9, 1966 Classic Brazilian political satire
1968 Paixão de Cristo Actress Religious-themed passion play
1971 Casa Grande e Senzala Actress Adaptation inspired by Gilberto Freyre's work; listed twice in source but counted once
1976 O Último Carro Actress João das Neves March 30, 1976 Produced by Grupo Opinião (Rio de Janeiro); award-winning play delayed by censorship
1978 A Ópera do Malandro Actress Chico Buarque July 26, 1978 Iconic Brazilian musical theater adaptation
1980 O Último dos Nukupyrus Actress Environmental/indigenous-themed play

Prizes

Year Awards Category Nominee Result Ref.
1957 1º Festival de Amadores Nacionais Best Actress O Auto da Compadecida Win [52]
2018 Festival de Cinema de Triunfo Contribution to Art Tribute Win [53]

References

  1. 1 2 "Ilva Niño, atriz que fez a Mina em 'Roque Santeiro', morre aos 90 anos". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ Medeiros, Gabriela (June 12, 2024). "Morre a atriz Ilva Niño, aos 90 anos: 'Em decorrência de complicações respiratórias, digestivas e renais', diz hospital". Extra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  3. ↑ Moratelli, Walmir (October 29, 2025). "Justiça cobra dívida de Ilva Nino, atriz da Globo que morreu há um ano". Veja (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on November 1, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ "O que aconteceu com Ilva Niño, a Chica de História de Amor?". NaTelinha (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 13, 2025. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Morre Ilva Niño, atriz que viveu a empregada Mina em 'Roque Santeiro'". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ Araújo, Mateus (June 22, 2015). "60 anos da peleja de João Grilo e Chicó". Teatrojornal. Archived from the original on December 23, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Ilva Niño volta a se apresentar no Recife depois de 53 anos com homenagem ao teatro de revista". Diário de Pernambuco (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 11, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Adeus à inesquecível Ilva Niño". Revista Continente (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on November 19, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Ilva Niño". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  10. ↑ Medeiros, Daniel (January 13, 2017). "Ilva Niño está no elenco da comédia musical "Cabaré da Humanidade"". Folha de Pernambuco (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Morte de Ilva Niño: atriz perdeu o único filho vítima de cirrose e o marido, para a aids; relembre". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 Vídeo Show | Seu Bordôncio explica como surgiu o 'Mirna' em 'Roque Santeiro' | Globoplay (Television production) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Vídeo Show. Retrieved January 9, 2026 – via Globoplay.
  13. ↑ "Ilva Niño: morre a atriz de Mina em 'Roque Santeiro'". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 16, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "Bandeira 2 - Galleria de Personagens". Memória Globo. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Corrida do Ouro | Ficha Técnica". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Personagens". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 12, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Personagens - Pecado Capital". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Personagens". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Atriz Ilva Niño morre aos 90 anos. Famosa por Roque Santeiro". Portal do Cerrado (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Jogo da Vida". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ficha Técnica". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Ficha Técnica". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Morre atriz Ilva Niño, a Mina de 'Roque Santeiro', aos 90 anos". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  24. ↑ Xavier, Nilson. "O Outro". Teledramaturgia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  25. ↑ "Personagens". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Ficha Técnica". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  27. ↑ Xavier, Nilson. "Tropicaliente". Teledramaturgia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 19, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Que horas começa 'História de Amor'? Veja o resumo da novela desta sexta-feira (25) - Zoeira". Diário do Nordeste (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 25, 2025. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ Ribeiro, Clara (September 29, 2025). "Vítima de erro médico, atriz de 'Terra Nostra' morreu após cirurgia em 2024". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  30. ↑ Elenco Por Amor T01 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 15, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026 – via AdoroCinema.
  31. ↑ "Suave Veneno". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  32. ↑ Sousa, Ana (August 21, 2025). "Relembre os atores de 'Terra Nostra' que já faleceram antes da reexibição da novela na Globo". Correio (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Porto dos Milagres". AdoroCinema. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Ficha Técnica". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Ficha Técnica". memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 3, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Atriz de Cheias de Charme e Roque Santeiro, Ilva Niño morre aos 90 anos". Notícias da TV (in Brazilian Portuguese). Universo Online. June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on September 14, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  37. ↑ Xavier, Nilson. "Pé na Jaca". Teledramaturgia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Personagens". Memória Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  39. ↑ Villalba, Patricia (February 17, 2010). "'A empregada precisa ter quentura de viver'". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved January 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  40. ↑ "Cândida". Cordel Encantado (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on December 29, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Novela: Cândida aconselha Cícero a esquecer Antônia em". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  42. ↑ Zuliani, André (June 12, 2024). "Ilva Niño, de Cheias de Charme e Roque Santeiro, morre aos 90 anos". Omelete (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on November 10, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Cleide (Ilva Niño)". Saramandaia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Malhação: Acusado de roubo, Toninho ameaça Vera após beijá-la". Notícias da TV (in Brazilian Portuguese). Universo Online. December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Patrick apresenta testemunha-chave no julgamento de Vinícius". Gshow (in Brazilian Portuguese). February 19, 2018. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Luiz Mendonça - Missa 7º DIa". Jornal do Brasil. 105 (87): 21. July 4, 1995.
  47. ↑ "Ilva Niño recordou fuga de Recife, morte de marido e filho em última entrevista para Quem". Quem (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  48. 1 2 "Ilva Niño, que morreu aos 90 anos, contrariou expectativa médica de pouco tempo de vida; entenda". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  49. ↑ Moratelli, Valmir (June 12, 2024). "Ilva Niño morre aos 89 anos: a atriz do 'olhar popular' na TV | VEJA Gente". Veja (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 29, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Ilva Niño morreu após falência múltipla de órgãos: o que isso significa?". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Morre atriz Ilva Niño, aos 90 anos, no Rio de Janeiro". TV Cultura (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 12, 2024. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  52. ↑ Valbão, Mariana (June 12, 2024). "Morre atriz Ilva Niño, aos 89 anos; relembre personagens marcantes". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  53. ↑ "11º Festival de Cinema de Triunfo divulga programação; confira". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2026.