Biography
Described by many as a Picasso come-to-life, de Palma broke the rules of beauty in 1988 when she starred in Pedro Almodóvar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and became a model and muse for designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, and Sybilla. Her status as an iconic fashion character was further cemented with her role in Robert Altman’s 1994 satirical fashion film Prêt-à-Porter. Today, she is a theater actress, charity spokesperson for the Ghanian Charity OrphanAid Africa, and the face of luxury ad campaigns. Born in Palma de Mallorca, she was originally a singer and dancer for the band Peor Imposible before being discovered by filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar at a café in Madrid in 1986. He cast her in roles based on her unique, Picassoesque appearance. She is best known for her roles in Almodóvar films like La ley del deseo (Law of Desire), Kika, Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) and La flor de mi secreto (The Flower of My Secret). She acts in France and does modeling. She appeared in Robert Altman's Prêt-à-Porter as Pilar. In 2007, she released a perfume line under her name through the French cosmetics company Et…
Movies & TV Shows
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Toc Toc (2017) — Ana María
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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)
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Have You Met Claudia? (2004) — Aldo's Claudia
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Parallel Mothers (2021) — Elena
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Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) — Marisa
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Julieta (2016) — Marian
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Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2014) — Luna (voice)
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Broken Embraces (2009) — Julieta
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Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) — Camello en Vespa
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Despite Everything (2019) — Inés
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Dead Weight (2002) — Pauline Reggio
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Do Not Disturb (2014) — Maria
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Law of Desire (1987) — Locutora tele
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Madame (2017) — Maria
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Kika (1993) — Juana
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Double zéro (2004) — Le Monocle
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My Brother Chases Dinosaurs (2019) — Auntie Rock / Zia Dolores
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The White Princess (2017) — Isabella I of Castile
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La que se avecina (2007) — María Luisa Romero
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The Flower of My Secret (1995) — Rosa
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Prêt-à-Porter (1994) — Pilar
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Spy Time (2015) — Madre de Katia
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3 Days Max (2023) — Alba Suarez
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A Mermaid in Paris (2020) — Rossy
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Do You Do You Saint-Tropez (2021) — Carmen
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Lord, Give Me Patience (2017) — María Ramos
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Mutant Action (1993) — Invitada de lujo
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Three Many Weddings (2013) — Madre de Ruth
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Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991) — Self
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Honeymoon Crasher (2025) — Gloria
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Brillantissime (2018) — Charline
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Little Birds (2020) — Contessa Mandrax
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Apaches: Gang of Paris (2023) — Sarah Bernardt
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The House (2022) — Brigida
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Airbag (1997) — Carmiña, mujer de Pazos en una fotografía
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Bitter Christmas (2026) — Gabriela
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El refugio (2021)
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I Don't Know Whether to Slit My Wrists or Leave Them Long (2013) — Lola
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Love of My Loves (2014) — Carmina
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Les Aristos (2006) — La duchesse Maria de Malaga i Benidorm