Leila Pinheiro, born on October 16, 1960, in Belém, Pará, Brazil, is a distinguished Brazilian Bossa Nova singer, pianist, and composer. Her musical journey began at the age of ten when she started studying piano at the Instituto de Iniciação Musical. She later studied under the guidance of Guilherme Coutinho, a significant figure in Belém's music scene. Pinheiro initially pursued a medical degree but left in 1980 to debut as a professional singer in the show Sinal de Partida at the Theatro da Paz in Belém.

In 1981, she moved to Rio de Janeiro and recorded her first independent album, "Leila Pinheiro," featuring legendary artists such as Tom Jobim, João Donato, and Ivan Lins. Her breakthrough came in 1985 when she won the Revelation Singer award at TV Globo's Festival dos Festivais with the song "Verde." Subsequently, she signed with PolyGram and released "Olho Nu" in 1986, which included a special appearance by Pat Metheny. The album was well-received and led to her representing Brazil at the Yamaha Festival in Japan, where she was named the best interpreter.

Pinheiro's career continued to flourish with several successful albums, including "Alma" (1988) and "Bênção, Bossa Nova" (1989), the latter celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bossa Nova and achieving significant sales in Japan. Her collaboration with Roberto Menescal produced several acclaimed projects, and she became known for her Bossa Nova interpretations. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she explored Brazilian pop and collaborated with artists like Ivan Lins and Toquinho, performing internationally and participating in tribute shows to Brazilian music legends.

Leila Pinheiro's discography includes numerous albums such as "Isso é Bossa Nova" (1994), "Catavento e Girassol" (1996), and "Nos Horizontes do Mundo" (2005). Her contributions to Brazilian music have earned her a prominent place in the Bossa Nova and Brazilian pop genres.