Torres Barra was born in Tomé, Biobío Region, Chile, on 20 July 1913 (claimed 11 January), as one of a set of twins to parents José Santos Torres Cabrera and Ernestina Barra Soto. Her twin, Rosa Ester, was born 30 minutes after her but died at a very young age.

Torres Barra worked at Bellavista Oveja Tomé Factory, dedicated to the textile industry, for more than 40 years. She never married but had two children: Sonia and Héctor, aged 83 and 76 respectively as of March 2024.