Born in Havana, Cuba, Maria Vadia was 10 years old when she and her family fled to Miami, Florida to escape the communist regime in her native country. She attended Catholic schools and was a "Sunday" Catholic with no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Later married to a wealthy man, she was gripped by materialism; yet in the midst of everything the world could offer, she knew that something was missing. Maria was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1987 and consecrated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel. In spite of great adversity, the Lord has been with her like a "mighty warrior" (Jeremiah 20:11).

Maria is active in the "Catholic Charismatic Renewal" of the Archdiocese of Miami and has spoken at many charismatic conferences. She is founder of the "Jesus is Lord" chapter of Magnificat in Miami, and a member of the Advisory Board of Magnificat, International, a ministry for Catholic Women. She has traveled around America, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico, Malta, Ghana, Nicaragua, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Canada and India, bringing a message of faith, salvation and healing. She ministers the Word to various prayer groups, including "The King Jesus Prayer Group" which she has faithfully led since 1992, as well as at the Miami Women's Detention Center and Genesis House, a home for the homeless with AIDS (presently closed). Maria leads a weekly bible class, "Healing Through The Word," in her parish of St. Louis Catholic Church.

She has authored seven books; "There's Power In Your Tongue"(available in English and Spanish), "Pressing On In The Spirit", "An Arrow In His Hand" "Break Open Your Wells", "Healing is For You!" Victory in the Eye Gate" and her latest, No More Orphans!"
Maria is the mother of four: Ricky, Victor, Eddy and Rosario.