Born in Lecce, she became Assistant lecturer in Latin literature at the University of Lecce in 1965. In 1985 she became an associate professor in the same subject. From 1967 to 1998, she was member of Lecce Municipal Council and from 1981 to 1990 National secretary for women of the Italian Social Movement. From 1990 to 2000, she also was member of the national executive of MSI and subsequently of National Alliance. Poli Bortone was elected for the first time to the Chamber of Deputies in 1983 and in 1994 she was appointed for a month Vice President of the Chamber. In 1994 she also served as Agriculture Minister in the Berlusconi I Cabinet. In 1998 she was elected mayor of Lecce, and she was re-confirmed in 2002.