Leonor Varela was born in Santiago, Chile. Her parents are
the famous Chilean biologist Francisco Varela and Leonor Palma, a French-Hungarian
dancer.

She started her career in 1995 with her first job, playing
Anette in Pony Trek, a children's film. Referred to a French filmmaker
by her dentist, she played in The Shooting Stars (1997). Varela found
her popular when she was cast in the Chilean TV series Tic Tac back at
home. 

She is one of the Maxim Magazine hotties.