Mary Terezinha

Origin

Tupanciretã, RS

Genres

gaucho music, regional music, folk, gospel

Instruments

accordion

Biography

Mary Terezinha was a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, and accordionist who became a prominent figure in the regional music scene of Rio Grande do Sul. Born in Tupanciretã, she rose to fame in the 1960s alongside legendary musician Vítor Mateus Teixeira, famously known as Teixeirinha. Initially dubbed "A Menina da Gaita" and the "Teixeirinha de Saias," she formed both a romantic and professional partnership with Teixeirinha that lasted for 24 years, during which they recorded numerous successful albums and starred together in several films.

Following the end of her partnership with Teixeirinha in 1984, Mary embarked on a solo career, continuing to release music and eventually publishing her autobiographical book titled "A Gaita Nua" in 1992. In 1997, she converted to the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, transitioning her musical focus toward the gospel genre while maintaining her signature accordion playing. She spent her later decades traveling as a Christian missionary, releasing faith-based albums that incorporated traditional southern Brazilian rhythms like xote and vaneira.

Throughout her life, Mary Terezinha remained an iconic symbol of traditional gaucho music combined with personal reinvention. Her enduring legacy bridges the gap between classic regional folk music and contemporary religious expression within Brazilian culture. She passed away in Porto Alegre, leaving behind a rich recorded history of albums and cinematic appearances alongside artists like Teixeirinha.