Margarete did not have an easy life. During her childhood, she worked in a circus and had all her teeth pulled out. Later, she was taken to a commercial chimpanzee breeding facility in southern Brazil, where she was used as a “breeder”. Her babies were taken away from her shortly after birth.

With the closure of the breeding facility, in 1999/2000, Margarete was finally transferred to the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil, where she at last found the peace she deserved. Two of her children, Emilio and Noel, also live in Sorocaba, although she has never had contact with them.

Despite being a bit grumpy and stubborn, Margarete overcame her traumas and shows herself to be sociable and gentle. She found a companion in Maria, a chimpanzee who formerly lived in a zoo, with whom she has a beautiful friendship.