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Maddie and Nonna Fina have over 1 million combined followers online
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The duo has found a way to showcase their strong bond on camera while still remaining true to their roots
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After more than a decade apart, Nonna Fina finally returned to Italy in March 2025 to reunite with family and friends
There’s something special about the bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother – especially when it’s built around love, respect and a lot of laughter.
One charming duo has taken over social media, letting the world in on their special connection by sharing videos of their homemade meals, family stories, and the kind of joy that feels like home.
At the heart of it all is 78-year-old Nonna Fina, a grandmother whose personality lights up every frame, and her 29-year-old granddaughter, Maddie, who clearly treasures every moment by her side.
After creating an online space where heritage, humor, and heart come together, Maddie and her grandmother felt comfortable sharing a deeply personal story with their followers – Nonna’s long-awaited return to Italy.
Nonna immigrated to Australia 57 years ago with her husband and 6-month-old daughter, Maria. At the time, the then-22-year-old was also pregnant with her second child, Anna.
To embrace a new life filled with opportunity, Nonna had to leave her family in Benevento, Italy, behind. As the years passed, it became harder to visit her family abroad.
It had been over 14 years since Nonna had returned to her town, Guardia Sanframondi, when Maddie suggested they take a trip.
“My husband sadly passed away, and it was hard to go without him,” Nonna tells PEOPLE exclusively. “But I am glad that my granddaughter took me and I had her company.”
In March, Nonna was finally reunited with her three sisters, her brother, and all her nieces and nephews. “I was the only one from my side of the family to move to Australia,” she explains, making the reunion all the more special.
@mynonnafina
Nonna Fina is from Benevento, Italy.
“We all cried tears of happiness,” Nonna recalls. “And it was nice to see the village again, to see what changed and what stayed the same. I saw lots of old friends too. It was emotional in a good way.”
Despite the medieval castle that was turned into a nightly entertainment hub, Nonna admits that nothing really surprised her. “I talk to my siblings often, and they keep me up to date with what is happening in the village,” she says. “We speak to each other on the phone all the time, but nothing can compare to seeing each other.”
Watching her grandmother reunite with her sisters moved Maddie greatly. “They were like three little girls again walking around arm in arm all day,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.
@mynonnafina
Nonna Fina and her sisters walking through their hometown.
On the trip, Nonna found herself reflecting on the old days and was thrilled to share the memories, places, and food of her childhood with her granddaughter.
“I was very happy to be able to walk up the mountain again where I used to pick wild asparagus and show Maddie how to make a frittata with them,” she says. “The taste is so different from the ones at the shops.”
Even though Maddie had been to Italy before, this was the first time Nonna went with her. “Nothing can compare to going back to Nonna’s village where she grew up, having her show me around the town, where she went to school, and hear all about her childhood,” Maddie explains.
Despite living far from home, Nonna says she has a special connection to both Italy and Australia. “They are both countries I love,” she admits. “Italy gave me life, I was born there, but Australia gave me a future, and all my kids and grandkids are here now.”
@mynonnafina
Nonna Fina and Maddie in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Whether they’re at home or off on an adventure, Nonna and Maddie make it a point to share their candid moments online.
“The videos started as a joke between Nonna and I and it still remains that way today,” Maddie shares. “We’re just having fun and hanging out. I’m so blessed to have Nonna in my life, have her share all her recipes, stories and general life tips with me. She’s an incredible woman and I am so grateful for her.”
Read the original article on People
