When Mikael Kjelleros Endrell was born in Colombia on New Year’s Eve in 1984, no one could have imagined how his life would unfold. Just a few days after his birth, he was taken — and it would take nearly four decades before he discovered the truth about what had happened.
At 8 months old, Mikael was adopted to Sweden.
Growing up, he always felt a deep curiosity about his origins — especially about the mother he had never known.
When I was nine, I decided that one day I was going to find my biological mother. It’s always been important for me to know where I come from.
A Lifelong Search for the Truth
Determined to prepare himself for the day they might meet, Mikael began studying Spanish at age 12 so he could speak to his mother in her native language. He continued his studies for eight years, even at university level.
Despite his dedication, the search proved difficult. With limited information and language barriers, he had no idea where to begin. Every lead seemed to end in disappointment.
Becoming a Father Changed Everything
When Mikael’s daughter was born in 2014, the desire to find his mother became even stronger.
I realized it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was important for my children to know who brought me into the world.
Between 2014 and 2019, Mikael sought help from contacts in Colombia, but found no answers. In 2023, he traveled there himself, determined to get closer to the truth — yet still came up empty-handed.
That’s when he decided to turn to MyHeritage, a decision that would change everything.
A DNA Match That Changed His Life
Through DNA matches on MyHeritage and help from social media, Mikael was finally able to trace his biological family. On September 16, 2024 — nearly 40 years after they were separated — he made contact with his mother for the first time.
We took a DNA test to confirm it, and it showed that we really were mother and son!
Just a few weeks later, on November 2, they met in person for the first time — at the airport in Madrid.
“The Last Piece of the Puzzle Fell Into Place”
In a Swedish TV interview, Mikael described the moment they met:
“There aren’t really words for it. It was incredible. My mother had been searching for me her whole life, and I’d been looking for her seriously for about ten years. It felt like everything came full circle — the last piece of the puzzle finally fell into place.”
Mikael later learned that his mother had been forced to leave the hospital in Colombia just two days after giving birth. Because he needed further medical care, he had to stay behind.
“She came back every day to visit me,” Mikael says. “But on the eighth day, when she arrived, my bed was empty.”
Without her knowledge, Mikael had been taken and later adopted to Sweden.
Decades later, their emotional reunion gave both of them the closure they had been waiting for.
After almost forty years, I got to hug my mother. Finally. I’m so grateful that I never gave up. It’s hard to describe the feeling — overwhelming joy and relief, and above all, finally knowing the truth.
“Don’t Give Up”
Despite the painful truth of what happened, Mikael feels nothing but gratitude.
I’m so thankful for all the help I’ve received from MyHeritage over the years. It’s been an essential tool in my search. I hope more adoptees choose to use MyHeritage to discover where they come from. Even if you don’t find your parents right away, it’s an invaluable way to map your family history and connect with people who might lead you there.
Mikael’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to find answers — and that one DNA test can open the door to something life-changing.
Have you made an amazing discovery through MyHeritage?
We’d love to hear your story! Share it with us at stories@myheritage.com.
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Source: My Heritage