Maria Isabel Lopez was born in the Philippines to an opera singer mother, Crescencia Lopez and a lawyer father, the late Atty. Benjamin Lopez, both from the University of the Philippines.

An alumna of the UP College of Fine Arts, she is currently elected secretary of the NCCA (National Commission on Culture and Arts) Committee of Visual Arts.

The Award-winning actress had movies shown in the different film festivals around the world, such as Kinatay, which won Best Director for Brillante Mendoza at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. Halaw was shown at the Berlinale in 2011, Busan Film Festival, Tokyo Film Festival etc., and Captive by Brillante Mendoza is earning raves all over the world.. Other recent films such as Cuchera, was screened at the Toronto Film Festival, Fribourg Festival etc.

She is busy working on TV as well, the latest of which is Kung Ako'y IIwan mo for ABSCBN, and Magdalena for GMA..

Mother to rising star, Mara Isabella Lopez, she creates a balanced life of acting, painting, TV and line produces independent advocacy films on the sides.