Madelaine Shenkel is an author, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose life embodies perseverance, curiosity, and the search for truth. Born in Tientsin, China, to a Russian mother and Swiss father, her early years were marked by change, uncertainty, and the quiet mystery of her origins. When her family relocated to Los Angeles, Madelaine built a new life, yet the unanswered questions about her past never left her.

For more than fifty years, she carried the dream of uncovering her true family history a dream that took her across continents, from California to Switzerland and Italy, as she followed a trail of letters, memories, and long-lost connections. That journey became the foundation of her powerful memoir, Madelaine’s Story, a book that celebrates courage, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Beyond writing, Madelaine spent decades building her career as the founder and owner of Shenkel Trucking, Inc., a successful business she led for over 30 years in Southern California. As a single mother and entrepreneur, she learned firsthand the value of hard work, integrity, and independence qualities that also define her as an author and woman of faith.

Today, Madelaine continues to share her story as a testament to perseverance and hope. Her journey reminds readers that no matter how much time has passed, it is never too late to seek the truth, to understand where we come from, and to embrace the life we were always meant to live.