Mady's Story

Andrew Benson was a divorced and world-weary English businessman, and never expected his life to change forever on a business trip to Romania in 1998. But then he met Madalina.

Mady was unlike anyone he had ever known - brilliant, fiery, and ahead of her time while deeply traditional. Against all logic, against all expectations, Andrew fell madly in love. And in time she came to love him too, and left behind everything she knew to build a new life in England. Together the couple faced challenges that could have broken them : cultural differences, personal losses, business struggles. But through it all, their love grew stronger.

People doubted them and judged them. But they didn't know Mady. She was a force of nature - an entrepreneur, a writer, a visionary. She built something to be proud of, a thriving online community long before social media existed. She had dreams, ambitions, and a heart big enough to change lives.

And then, just after her 29th birthday, she was gone - stolen by medical negligence. Her story made headlines: "Death of a Beauty Queen". But Mady's life was so much more than her death.

This book, with extracts from And, Mady's diaries and reflections, is Andrew’s tribute to her and to the love they shared, the battles they fought, and the incredible woman she was. Her impact lives on. And now, so does her story.