Childhood and Education Journey of Elizabeth Smart in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2026

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Elizabeth Smart. A timeline of key moments.

Elizabeth Smart is an American child safety activist and commentator. At 14, she was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. For nine months, Smart was held captive, repeatedly raped, and assaulted by Mitchell until her rescue by police in Sandy, Utah. After her rescue, she dedicated her life to child safety advocacy.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 3, 1987: Elizabeth Smart's Birth

On November 3, 1987, Elizabeth Ann Gilmour (later Smart) was born. She is an American child safety activist and commentator for ABC News.

Others born on this day/year

June 5, 2002: Abduction of Elizabeth Smart

On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah.

March 12, 2003: Elizabeth Smart's Rescue

On March 12, 2003, Elizabeth Smart was rescued by police officers on a public street in Sandy, Utah, after being held captive for nine months. Two witnesses recognized her abductors from an episode of "America's Most Wanted".

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2003: The Elizabeth Smart Story TV Movie

In 2003, a television movie, "The Elizabeth Smart Story", was made, based on the book Bringing Elizabeth Home by Smart's father.

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November 11, 2009: Missionary in Paris

On November 11, 2009, Elizabeth Smart began serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris.

November 16, 2009: Barzee pleads guilty

On November 16, 2009, Wanda Barzee pled guilty to assisting in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart as part of a plea bargain.

May 19, 2010: Barzee sentenced

On May 19, 2010, federal Judge Dale A. Kimball sentenced Wanda Barzee to 15 years in federal prison, giving her credit for seven years already served.

November 2010: Temporary return from mission

In November 2010, Elizabeth Smart temporarily returned from her mission to serve as the chief witness in Brian Mitchell's federal trial.

May 2011: Mitchell Sentenced

In May 2011, Brian David Mitchell was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison after being found guilty on kidnapping and sexual assault charges.

2011: Resume Mission

In 2011, after the trial, Elizabeth Smart resumed her mission in Paris.

January 2012: Engagement

In January 2012, Elizabeth Smart became engaged to Matthew Gilmour after a one-year courtship.

February 18, 2012: Marriage to Matthew Gilmour

On February 18, 2012, Elizabeth Smart married Matthew Gilmour in a private ceremony in the Laie Hawaii Temple.

March 2018: Denial of Relationship to "Elizabeth Smart Law"

In March 2018, Elizabeth Smart's spokesman denied her relationship to the proposed "Elizabeth Smart Law" requiring pornography filters on computers, and her lawyer sent a cease and desist letter.

2019: Father comes out as gay

In 2019, Elizabeth Smart's father, Ed, came out as gay and left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading to the divorce of her parents.

2019: Alleged Groping Incident and Smart Defense Program

In 2019, while traveling home to Utah aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, Elizabeth Smart alleged a male passenger groped her. She reported the incident and started a self-defense program called Smart Defense.