Altéry was born in Paris. She began her singing career in Cherbourg-Octeville, Manche, Normandy, where her father was working at the time. After studying classical music, Altéry began as a chorister at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in the operetta "Annie du Far-West (Annie of the Wild West)". In 1956, Altéry represented France in the first Eurovision Song Contest, with the song "Le temps perdu" "(Lost Time)". During the first contest only the winning song was announced, and so the rank of her song is unknown. As of 2020, she is the oldest living Eurovision contestant.