Ivanka Devátá was born into an artistic family, her father was the composer and conductor Antonín Devátý (1903-1984). Devátá took her first steps on the path to the theatre in Brno, playing at school, on the radio, writing poems, and making guest appearances at Brno's Na Veveří Theatre. She then studied at the DAMU (Prague’s Theater Academy) and joined the Realistic Theatre until it was closed down and she retired (1991).

In the second half of the 1950s, she had her debut in front of a film camera. Among her major roles is the part in The Avenger (1959). She also worked for radio and television. She could be seen in the films and series The Bláha Family, Daddy, Get a Puppy!, The Best Woman of My Life, Family Ties, The Very Fragile Liaisons, and Old Age Is Not for Sissies.

She has occasionally dubbed, for example, the character of Miss Marple. After 1989, Devátá launched a career in writing. At the age of 82, she discovered she had cancer. A few years ago, she suffered a stroke and became paralyzed. Her incredibly optimistic nature has helped Ivanka Devátá to survive these terrifying events, but still, at 88, she needs assistance.