Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shana Diane Madoff |
| Born | December 8, 1967 — Queens, New York |
| Education | University of Michigan (B.A., 1992); Fordham Law School (J.D., 1995) |
| Former Role | Compliance Attorney & In-House Counsel, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities (1995–2008) |
| Current Role | Yoga Instructor |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed; major assets auctioned in 2015 |
| Family | Daughter of Peter Madoff; Niece of Bernie Madoff |
Early Life and Education
Shana Diane Madoff was born in Queens on December 8, 1967, to a distinguished New York family and raised in Woodbury, Long Island. She developed ambition and legal curiosity from her affluent upbringing and early finance industry contact. After graduating from Michigan, she earned her Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School.
| Period | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1967–1985 | Raised in Woodbury on Long Island’s North Shore |
| 1988–1992 | B.A., University of Michigan |
| 1992–1995 | J.D., Fordham Law School |
Career Path and Professional Roles
Madoff became a compliance attorney and in-house counsel for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities (BLMIS) in 1995 following law school, using her experience and family connections. She maintained regulatory compliance, set corporate legal standards, and provided comparable services to Cohmad Securities for a decade. Her Securities Industry Association Compliance & Legal Division service ended in December 2008.
| Years | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–2008 | Compliance Attorney & In-House Counsel | BLMIS |
| Early 2000s | Compliance Officer | Cohmad Securities |
| 2006–2008 | Executive Committee Member | SIA Compliance & Legal Division |
| December 2008 | Resignation | Securities Industry Association Committee |
Financial Status and Net Worth
The judicial seizure of family assets and Shana Madoff’s own accounts make estimating her net worth difficult. In 2015, U.S. Marshals auctioned 420 parcels of Shana and her father’s property, including her East Hampton house. These transactions show large prior assets, but her financial situation is unknown.
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | U.S. Marshals Asset Auction | 420 lots sold |
| 2015 | Sale of East Hampton Residence | $2.3 million |
| – | Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly detailed |
Post-Scandal Transition and Yoga Career
Shana Madoff deliberately left law and banking to pursue holistic wellness after the Ponzi scheme collapsed. After yoga teacher training, she created a private practice for personal improvement rather than public attention. This change shows her determination to move forward from her family’s scandal.
| Years | Activity |
|---|---|
| 2009–2011 | Completed Yoga Teacher Training |
| 2012–Present | Yoga Instructor, Private Practice |
| Ongoing | Promoting Mindfulness & Community Wellness |
Family Connections and Dynamics
Shana Madoff’s family’s role in the largest Ponzi fraud influenced her life. She is the niece of Bernie Madoff, sentenced to 150 years, and the daughter of Peter Madoff, who served 10 years for fabricating records. Her weddings to Scott Skoller (1997) and Eric Swanson (2007) and motherhood show her efforts to maintain personal stability under public scrutiny.
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Peter Madoff — 10-year prison sentence |
| Uncle | Bernie Madoff — 150-year prison sentence |
| First Marriage | Scott Skoller (m. 1997); later dissolved |
| Second Marriage | Eric Swanson (m. 2007); former SEC official, now at XTX Markets |
| Children | Two (names undisclosed) |
| Cousins | Mark (d. 2010) & Andrew Madoff (d. 2014) |
Public Perception and Present Focus
Media and public attention focused on Madoff’s compliance position and proximity to the scheme after her uncle’s imprisonment. Despite considerable examination, she was never charged, limiting her legal vulnerability. She teaches yoga and mindfulness in secret today.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Public Profile | Chooses anonymity since 2008 |
| Media Scrutiny | Examined for compliance role; no charges filed |
| Personal Statement | “I’ve moved on, and I’m in a very good place.” |
| Current Focus | Private yoga teaching and wellness coaching |
FAQ
Who is Shana Madoff?
Shana Madoff, a compliance attorney turned yoga instructor, worked at her uncle Bernie Madoff’s investment firm before its 2008 collapse.
When and where was she born?
Born in Queens on December 8, 1967, she grew up on Long Island’s North Shore.
What was her Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities role?
Since 1995, she was a compliance attorney and in-house counsel until the firm closed in 2008.
Did she face any criminal charges?
Shana Madoff was never charged with Ponzi.
What is known about her net worth?
Although considerable assets were auctioned in 2015, her net worth is unknown.
What does she do now?
Mindfulness and holistic wellness are her yoga teachings.
Who are her immediate family members?
Her father and uncle, Peter and Bernie Madoff, were convicted Ponzi schemers.
After the scandal, how has she positioned herself?
She keeps a quiet profile and prioritizes wellness and personal improvement.
