Born Maria de Graca Leporace in Ipanema, Brazil. Gracinha is from a musical family. Her sister Marianna Leporace is also a singer. She was a member of the Bossa Nove group Bossa Rio in the late 60's. They released 2 albums. She first appears on the album Fool on the Hill in 1968. Married to Sergio Mendes since about 1972, the couple have 2 sons, Gustavo, and Tiago. Sergio was previously married to Maria Porto. The couple had three children, Rodrigo, Bernardo, and Isabel.