Geraldine Yuson Bonnevie known as Dina Bonnevie was born January 27, 1961 to Honesto Bonnevie (son of French settler) and Jeannette Schaer (a Swiss settler). Her grandmother is pre-World War II actress Rosita Rivera. She is a cousin of singer Lou Bonnevie. She has two children by comedian Vic Sotto.
Dina Bonnevie began her schooling in St. Theresa's College,Manila, but finished her elementary and secondary education at St. Agnes' Academy in Legaspi City, where she was very active in drama guilds. In 1980 she enrolled in Communication Arts at the Ateneo de Manila University and, later, the University of the Philippines.
Introduced by young actor Alfie Anido to director Joey Gosiengfiao, she first appeared in teen dramas Underage (1980) and Temptation Island (1981), but her launching movie was Katorse (1984) with Anido and Gabby Concepcion. This film established her as one of the "Regal Babies" (named after the studio, Regal Films). She then appeared in a longer slew of teenage love or growing-pains dramas. Bakit Ba Ganyan? (1981) was a film where she herself sang the theme song and popularized it.
