Zeynab Khanlarova was born in Baku on December 28, 1936.

In 1956, Khanlarova graduated from Baku Pedagogical School named after M.A.Sabir. In 1961, she graduated from Baku Musical School named after Asaf Zeynalli (S.I.Shushinski’s class) and became a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

Khanlarova played Leyli’s part in "Leyli and Majnun” opera, Asli’s part in "Asli and Karam” opera of Uzeyir Hajibeyov. Besides that, Khanlarova successfully performed Azerbaijani musical style – mugham. Her voice can be heard in such mugham compositions as "Shahnaz”, "Gatar”, "Bayati Shiraz” and in many others. Zeynab Khanlarova achieved a great success in estrada genre of music. Khanlarova’s repertoire includes songs of such composers as Tofig Guliyev, Arif Malikov, Alekper Taghiyev, Emin Sabitoglu, Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov and many other famous composers.

Zeynab Khanlarova has been an artist of Azerbaijan Radio and Television Committee since 1958, prima soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater since 1961. She is the laureate of Azerbaijan SSR’s State Prize, All-Union Prize of "Gold Disk”. She is honorable citizen of Algeria and Uzbekistan. She was awarded with the title of honorary artist of Azerbaijan SSR in 1967, popular artists of Azerbaijan SSR in 1975, popular artists of USSR in 1980.

She was awarded with Order of Istiqlal (Independence), Order of "Shohrat” (Glory) and Heydar Aliyev Order. Zeynab Khanlarova was the deputy of Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR (XI-XII convocations).

She was elected as member of the Azerbaijani Parliament in several convocations and reelected in 2015.