Nadezhda Ismayilova was born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

She studied at the Faculty of Philology of Azerbaijan State University (1962), and at the Faculty of Scriptwriting and Cinematography of the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (1968). 

She worked at Azerbaijan Television (1959-1975, 1987-1996), at the “Azerbaijantelefilm” Creative Union (1985-1987), and as deputy editor-in-chief at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio (1975-1984).

She was the author and presenter of the television publicistic programs “Dalga”, “Hafta+”, “TV Kuryer”.

She is a “Golden Pen” laureate (1988), and an Honored Journalist (1990).

Screenwriter Nadezhda Ismayilova was the wife of director and cameraman Rasim Ismayilov.