She was the fourth of eight children born to Brazilian singer-songwriter and politician Gilberto Gil. According to the newspaper, Preta Gil, Gal Costa’s goddaughter, used to refer to Brazilian musician Caetano Emanuel Viana Teles Veloso as her “uncle.” She grew up playing with the children of other music icons. She was also the daughter of a former Minister of Culture. Preta always wanted to be an artist. She released her debut album Prêt-à-Porter in 2003. She later ventured into the marketing sector and successfully started a business. Some of her earlier albums include Preta (2005), Sou Como Sou (2012), and Todas as Cores (2017).

She gave birth to a son after marrying actor Otavio Muller in 1994. However, their relationship soured, and they split up in 1995. She then married Rodrigo Godoy in 2015. But that union was short-lived as well. In 2023, they separated. She was outspoken about her sexual orientation and identified as pansexual. She was well-known for fusing pop, axé, and MPB in her songs. Gil also appeared in many Brazilian soap operas and TV series, including Caminhos do Coração (2007), Os Mutantes (2008), Ó Pai Ó (2008), Cheias de Charme (2012), and Pé na Cova (2013). She strongly supported women’s rights, racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and body acceptance.