Background
Born in Nizza Monferrato, Asti as Isabella Trufarelli, daughter of actors, Riva began acting as a child in the stage company ran by her grandparents.
Born in Nizza Monferrato, Asti as Isabella Trufarelli, daughter of actors, Riva began acting as a child in the stage company ran by her grandparents.
After working in several companies, in 1919 she became main actress of the Alfredo Sainati stage company. She was also a film and television actress. Riva retired in 1968, moving to Bologna in the retirement home for actors "Lyda Borelli" where she continued to teach acting for several years.