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.