Elizabeth Smart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Smart
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Smart in 2023
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| Born |
Elizabeth Ann Smart
November 3, 1987 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Brigham Young University (B.M.) |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Abduction survivor |
| Spouse(s) |
Matthew Gilmour
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
Elizabeth Ann Gilmour (born November 3, 1987), whose maiden name was Smart, is an American activist. She works to help keep children safe. She also shares news as a commentator for ABC News.
Elizabeth became well-known at age 14. She was taken from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. This happened in 2002. Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, held her captive.
Elizabeth was held for nine months. Police officers rescued her in March 2003. They found her on a street in Sandy, Utah. Since then, Elizabeth has become a strong voice for missing people. Her story has been shared in many books and movies.
Early life
Elizabeth Ann Smart was born on November 3, 1987. Her parents are Edward and Lois Smart. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her family belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elizabeth is the second oldest of six children. She has four brothers and one sister. She went to Bryant Middle School and East High School. Both schools are in Salt Lake City. Later, she studied at Brigham Young University. She earned a degree in harp performance.
The Kidnapping
On June 5, 2002, Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old. She was taken from her bedroom. This happened at her family's home in Salt Lake City. She was rescued by police on March 12, 2003. This was on a public street in Sandy, Utah. Sandy is about 18 miles (29 km) from her home.
Two people recognized her captors. They saw Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee. They had seen them on an episode of America's Most Wanted.
In November 2009, Wanda Barzee admitted her guilt. She pleaded guilty to helping in the kidnapping. She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Brian David Mitchell was found guilty in May 2011. He was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison.
Activism and media work
Elizabeth Smart has become a powerful speaker. She helps people understand how to overcome challenges. In 2006, she spoke at an event. This was after a law called the Adam Walsh Act was signed. This law helps protect children.
In 2008, Elizabeth helped write a book. It was called You're Not Alone. The book shared stories from young adults who had been rescued. In 2009, she talked about the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard. Elizabeth shared that focusing on the past was not helpful for her healing.
In October 2009, Elizabeth spoke at the Women's Conference. She talked about how to get through tough times. In March 2011, she received the Diane von Furstenberg Award. On July 7, 2011, ABC News announced she would be a commentator. She mainly talks about missing persons cases.
In July 2012, Elizabeth received the Siena Medal award. This is a high honor given to non-members by the Theta Phi Alpha National Fraternity. Elizabeth has also spoken about self-worth. She teaches children that they are valuable. She wants them to know they are not victims.
In February 2014, Elizabeth spoke to lawmakers in Utah. She supported a bill to help victims. In 2015, she shared how her faith helped her heal. Since 2016, she has been a reporter for Crime Watch Daily.
On June 5, 2017, a TV movie called I Am Elizabeth Smart aired. Elizabeth narrated and produced this film. It tells her story from her point of view. In 2018, she published a book. It is called Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up.
Her kidnapping and rescue have been in many books and movies. In October 2013, her memoir My Story was published. She wrote it with Chris Stewart. The book talks about her kidnapping. It also shares how the Elizabeth Smart Foundation started. This foundation helps raise awareness about abductions. Elizabeth has also played the harp on national television.
Her uncle, Tom Smart, and author Lee Benson wrote a book. It was about the search for Elizabeth. Her father also wrote a book about her kidnapping. A TV movie, The Elizabeth Smart Story, was made in 2003. It was based on her father's book.
In 2021, Elizabeth competed on The Masked Dancer. She was known as "Moth" and placed eighth.
Elizabeth has also been an executive producer for several Lifetime movies. In 2022, she produced Stolen By Their Father. In 2023, she produced The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. She also produced Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story. In 2024, she produced The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story. These movies tell true stories of abductions.
Personal life
On November 11, 2009, Elizabeth Smart left Salt Lake City. She went to Paris to serve as a Mormon missionary. She returned temporarily in November 2010. This was to be a witness in Brian David Mitchell's trial. After the trial, she went back to France. She finished her mission in early 2011.
While on her mission in Paris, Elizabeth met Matthew Gilmour. He is from Scotland. They became engaged in January 2012. They had known each other for one year. They got married on February 18, 2012. The wedding was a private ceremony in Hawaii. Since then, they have had three children. Their children were born in 2015, 2017, and 2018.
In 2019, Elizabeth started a self-defense program. It is for women and girls. It is called Smart Defense.
See also
In Spanish: Elizabeth Smart (activista) para niños
- Alicia Kozakiewicz
