Born in Gisborne in 1920, Nigro enrolled at Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland in 1937 and studied under Archie Fisher, John Weeks and A Lois White. It was here that she met her future husband, artist, Gerry (Angelo) Nigro. After World War II they moved to Australia where Nigro became established as an Australian artist exhibiting in both Melbourne and Sydney. On their return to New Zealand they settled in Rotorua where Nigro explored abstraction before returning to work with the figure. Later they moved to Northcote, Auckland before settling on Waiheke Island for 25 years. She lives in Auckland.