Adela Amador was born in northern New Mexico. She was reared in Placitas and moved to Albuquerque in the 60s. She graduated from the Edith McCurdy School and, later in life, the University of New Mexico, with a degree in Spanish and philosophy. She traveled widely and was an avid reader. She helped build C-47s during World War II. At different times in her life, she was a postmistress, housewife, mother and business-woman.

Adela authored the popular Southwest Flavor column in NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE from 1993 to 2006, and a book by the same name, published by the magazine in 2000. It all started with the little recipe book TWELVE GIFTS. MORE GIFTS followed, and was reprinted in Spring of 2008 by popular demand. Some of Adela's stories that did not find their way into the magazine were compiled in Adela's collection of cuentos, UNDERCURRENTS.