Anita Linda, a renowned Filipino actress, was born Alice Buenaflor Lake in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines. Her parents, James Lake, an American mining engineer, and Gorgonia Buenaflor from Iloilo, played a significant role in shaping her early life.
Anita's educational background consisted of attending Polo Elementary School and graduating from Good Shepherd Convent High School. Her personal life took a new turn when she married actor Fred Cortes, with whom she had a son, actor Fred Cortes Jr.
Before World War II, a teenage Alice was watching a stage show at the Avenue Theater, featuring Leopoldo Salcedo and Lopito, when she was unexpectedly called backstage by director Lamberto V. Avellana. Avellana, a renowned director, asked Alice if she wanted to become an actress, seemingly drawn to something in her. Despite Alice's initial hesitation, citing her Visayan background and inability to speak Tagalog, Avellana insisted that she report for rehearsals for the next show. When Alice failed to appear, Avellana had her fetched, thus marking the beginning of her acting career.
