Elizabeth Smart – Biography, Kidnapping and Activism in 2025
Elizabeth Smart is an American child safety activist and ABC News commentator. At age 14, she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home and held captive for nine months. Her story of survival and subsequent advocacy has made her a prominent voice for missing persons and sexual abuse victims.
Smart has transformed a traumatic past into a platform for change. She founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, works as a news contributor, and speaks publicly to help other survivors. Her case remains one of the most well-known kidnapping stories in modern American history.
Who Is Elizabeth Smart? From Kidnapping Victim to Advocate
- Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Gilmour (née Smart)
- Born: November 3, 1987 (age 37)
- Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Known For: Kidnapping at age 14, subsequent activism, ABC News contributor
- Spouse: Matthew Gilmour (m. 2012)
- Children: 3 (two daughters, one son)
- Foundation: Elizabeth Smart Foundation (founded 2011)
- Social Media: @elizabeth_smart_official (Instagram)
Elizabeth Smart was born on November 3, 1987, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ed Smart and Lois Smart. She attended Brigham Young University, where she originally studied music as a harp performance major. She is the second oldest child in a family of five siblings.
Smart’s life changed dramatically on June 5, 2002, when she was taken from her bedroom at knifepoint. Her younger sister, Mary Katherine, witnessed the abduction but pretended to be asleep out of fear. The case drew national attention and sparked an extensive search.
Key insights about Elizabeth Smart’s journey include:
- Smart transformed from a high-profile kidnapping victim into a nationally recognized child safety advocate and media personality.
- Her 9-month captivity ended when she was recognized by a bystander in Sandy, Utah, leading to her rescue on March 12, 2003.
- Smart’s captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, were sentenced to life in prison and 15 years respectively.
- She completed a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, France, before marrying Matthew Gilmour in 2012.
- The Elizabeth Smart Foundation focuses on survivor empowerment through self-defense training, awareness campaigns, and legislative advocacy.
- Smart currently works as a contributor for ABC News, providing expert commentary on abduction and survivor stories.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Kidnapping Date | June 5, 2002 |
| Rescue Date | March 12, 2003 |
| Duration of Captivity | 9 months |
| Captors | Brian David Mitchell, Wanda Barzee |
| Court Case | United States v. Brian David Mitchell (2010) |
| Profession | Child safety activist, ABC News contributor, author |
| Foundation Established | 2011 |
| Notable Work | ABC News crime commentary, speaking circuit, ‘My Story’ memoir |
What Exactly Happened During the Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart?
The Abduction
On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken at knifepoint from her bedroom by street preacher Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee. Her younger sister, Mary Katherine, witnessed the event but pretended to be asleep out of fear, according to Wikipedia’s account of the Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart.
Conditions During Captivity
She was held captive for nine months, chained to a tree at a campsite near her home. According to Biography.com, she was repeatedly raped, starved, and forced to drink alcohol and view pornography. When her captors needed provisions, she was brought into town with her face concealed by a veil, while her family and volunteers desperately searched the area.
Contrary to some claims, Elizabeth Smart was not held in a hidden bunker. She was moved between multiple campsites and outdoor locations in Utah and California. She has also publicly stated she did not suffer from Stockholm syndrome and feared for her life throughout the captivity.
The Rescue
Police officers rescued her on March 12, 2003, on a public street in Sandy, Utah, 18 miles from her home. During her captivity, she heard her uncle’s voice calling her name while hidden but was unable to respond, as documented in CNN’s Fast Facts on Elizabeth Smart.
What Happened to Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee?
Brian David Mitchell
Mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor for sexual activity in 2011. He was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison after an insanity defense was rejected. He died in federal prison in 2020 at age 66, according to Biography.com.
Wanda Barzee
Barzee pled guilty to a plea bargain in November 2009 and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in May 2010. She was granted early release on September 19, 2018, for previously uncredited time served—a decision Smart publicly protested. In a 2025 legal update, Barzee was apprehended in Salt Lake City after visiting public parks, violating her restrictions as a registered sex offender, according to CNN.
The case tested federal jurisdiction over cross-state kidnapping and set standards for sentencing in religiously motivated abduction cases. In May 2025, Barzee’s violation of her sex offender restrictions led to a new legal proceeding.
Where Is Elizabeth Smart Now and What Does She Do?
Marriage and Family
Elizabeth Smart married Matthew Gilmour on February 18, 2012. The couple has three children: Chloe (born February 2015), James (born April 2017), and Olivia (born November 2018). Smart’s Elizabeth Smart Foundation and Advocacy work continues to be a central part of her life.
Professional Career
Smart works as a commentator for ABC News, where she provides expert analysis on missing persons and sex abuse cases. She also speaks publicly about her experience, having chosen to reclaim agency over her story by confronting her abductor Mitchell shortly before he received his life sentence.
Books Authored
Smart published her memoir My Story in 2013, co-written with Chris Stewart, detailing her kidnapping and the foundation’s formation. She also authored Where There’s Hope, a book about overcoming trauma and reclaiming life after tragedy.
Smart collaborated with the Department of Justice to create a survivors guide titled “You’re Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment”. She has publicly stated, “I want people to know that no matter what happens to you in life, you can overcome it. You can still have a happy life.”
What Is the Elizabeth Smart Foundation?
Smart launched the foundation in 2011 to combat sexual violence and promote awareness about abductions. The organization works to promote the National AMBER Alert and the Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act. The foundation’s EASA (Empowerment and Self-Defense Awareness) program teaches self-defense to over 5,000 students annually. More information is available on the official Elizabeth Smart Foundation website.
Timeline of Key Events in Elizabeth Smart’s Life
- November 3, 1987: Elizabeth Ann Smart born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- June 5, 2002: Abducted from her home at knifepoint by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.
- March 12, 2003: Rescued in Sandy, Utah; captors arrested.
- November 2010: Brian David Mitchell convicted and sentenced to life in federal prison.
- 2011: Elizabeth Smart Foundation launched.
- 2012: Marries Matthew Gilmour in a private ceremony; later moves to Utah.
- 2013: Publishes memoir My Story.
- 2016: Begins regular contributor role with ABC News.
- 2018: Wanda Barzee released from federal prison after 15 years.
- 2020: Brian David Mitchell dies in federal prison at age 66.
- 2023–2025: Active on speaking circuit; foundation expands self-defense programs nationwide.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Elizabeth Smart’s Story?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her bedroom on June 5, 2002. | Net worth figures vary widely across unverified sources; no official public disclosure. |
| She was held captive for 9 months and rescued on March 12, 2003. | Financial specifics of her speaking fees and ABC News contract are not public. |
| Her captors were Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. | Exact details of the abuse she suffered are recounted in her memoir but remain partially shielded from public court transcripts due to victim protections. |
| Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison; Barzee served 15 years and was released in 2018. | Independent longitudinal impact studies of the foundation’s programs are limited. |
| Smart is a survivor, married to Matthew Gilmour, and has three children. | Future parole status or legal developments for Barzee beyond 2025 are not independently confirmed. |
What Is the Cultural and Legal Impact of the Elizabeth Smart Case?
The Smart case spurred changes in national AMBER Alert protocols and encouraged more aggressive public engagement in missing person cases. The case tested federal jurisdiction over cross-state kidnapping and set standards for sentencing in religiously motivated abduction cases. Her story has been covered by numerous documentaries, including the 2017 film I Am Elizabeth Smart, and multiple books. She is a frequent guest on news networks discussing survivor issues.
What Has Elizabeth Smart Said About Her Experience?
“I want people to know that no matter what happens to you in life, you can overcome it. You can still have a happy life.”
— Elizabeth Smart, 2013
“I’m not a victim anymore. I’m a survivor, and I help other survivors find their voice.”
— Elizabeth Smart, 2022
The U.S. Department of Justice press release on Brian David Mitchell’s sentencing provides court case details, while the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers resources related to Smart’s advocacy work.
Summary: Who Is Elizabeth Smart Today?
Elizabeth Smart is a survivor, activist, and media commentator who has built a life dedicated to helping others. She continues to advocate for missing and exploited children through her foundation, her work at ABC News, and her public speaking. Her story stands as a testament to resilience and the possibility of life after tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Smart
How old was Elizabeth Smart when she was kidnapped?
Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old when she was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City on June 5, 2002.
Does Elizabeth Smart have siblings?
Yes. Elizabeth Smart has five siblings: two sisters and three brothers. She is the second oldest child in her family.
What books has Elizabeth Smart written?
Elizabeth Smart authored the memoir My Story, published in 2013. The book details her kidnapping, nine months in captivity, and her healing process.
Is Elizabeth Smart on social media?
Yes, Elizabeth Smart is active on Instagram (@elizabeth_smart_official) with over 366,000 followers. She posts about her family, speaking events, and foundation work.
What is Elizabeth Smart’s net worth?
While no official figure is confirmed, various unverified sources estimate Elizabeth Smart’s net worth to be between $1 million and $3 million, primarily from speaking fees, book sales, and her role at ABC News.
Where did the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart take place?
The kidnapping took place at her family’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the night of June 5, 2002.
How did Elizabeth Smart survive her kidnapping?
Smart has said she focused on her faith, her family, and the hope of being rescued. She also used her memory and mental strength to cope with the daily abuse and isolation.
What does Elizabeth Smart do for a living?
Elizabeth Smart works as a child safety activist, a contributor for ABC News, a public speaker, and the founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.
Who is Elizabeth Smart married to?
Elizabeth Smart married Matthew Gilmour on February 18, 2012. The couple lives in Utah with their three children.
Is there a documentary about Elizabeth Smart?
Yes, a documentary titled Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart features interviews with Smart, her family, and investigators, blending archival footage with new material.
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