History of Elizabeth Smart in Timeline

Elizabeth Smart is an American child safety activist who was abducted from her home at age 14 by Brian David Mitchell. She endured nine months of captivity with Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, before being rescued by police in Sandy, Utah. Smart has since become a prominent advocate for child safety and works as a commentator for ABC News, using her experience to raise awareness and promote prevention efforts.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 3, 1987: Elizabeth Smart's Birth

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

Others born on this day/year

June 5, 2002: Elizabeth Smart Abduction

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 Rescued

On March 12, 2003, Elizabeth Smart was rescued by police officers on a public street in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home, after being held captive for nine months.

2003: The Elizabeth Smart Story Released

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

March 8, 2006: Smart Speaks Before Congress

On March 8, 2006, Elizabeth Smart spoke before the United States Congress to support sexual predator legislation and the AMBER Alert system.

July 26, 2006: Smart Speaks at Adam Walsh Act Event

On July 26, 2006, Elizabeth Smart spoke at an event held following the signing of the Adam Walsh Act.

May 2008: Smart Appears at Book Event

In May 2008, Elizabeth Smart appeared at an event promoting the book "You're Not Alone", to which she contributed an entry.

October 2009: Smart Speaks at Women's Conference

In October 2009, Elizabeth Smart spoke at the 2009 Women's Conference in California, hosted by Maria Shriver, on overcoming obstacles in life.

November 11, 2009: Smart Begins Missionary Service in Paris

On November 11, 2009, Elizabeth Smart left Salt Lake City to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris.

November 16, 2009: Wanda Barzee Pled Guilty

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

2009: Smart Comments on Jaycee Lee Dugard Kidnapping

In 2009, Elizabeth Smart commented on the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard, sharing her experience of recovering from trauma.

May 19, 2010: Wanda 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: Smart Returns to Testify in Mitchell's Trial

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

March 2011: Smart Awarded Diane von Furstenberg Award

In March 2011, Elizabeth Smart was one of four women awarded the Diane von Furstenberg Award.

May 2011: Brian David Mitchell Sentenced

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

July 7, 2011: Smart Joins ABC News

On July 7, 2011, ABC News announced that Elizabeth Smart would work as a commentator for them, focusing on missing persons.

2011: Smart Returns Home From Mission

In early 2011, Elizabeth Smart returned home to Utah from France after finishing her mission.

January 2012: Smart Engaged to Matthew Gilmour

In January 2012, Elizabeth Smart became engaged to Scotland native Matthew Gilmour after a one-year courtship while serving as missionaries in Paris.

February 18, 2012: Smart Marries Matthew Gilmour

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

July 2012: Smart Receives Siena Medal

In July 2012, Theta Phi Alpha National Fraternity honored Elizabeth Smart with the Siena Medal award, their highest honor for a non-member.

May 1, 2013: Smart Discusses Human Trafficking at Johns Hopkins

On May 1, 2013, Elizabeth Smart discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human trafficking and the importance of dispelling cultural myths surrounding girls' loss of value upon sexual contact during a speech at a human trafficking conference at Johns Hopkins University. She also spoke about the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs.

October 2013: My Story Published

In October 2013, "My Story", Elizabeth Smart's memoir co-written with Chris Stewart, was published by St. Martin's Press. The book details her kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.

February 2014: Smart Testifies in Favor of HB 286

In February 2014, Elizabeth Smart testified before the Utah State House of Representatives in favor of HB 286, a bill to create an optional curriculum for child sexual abuse prevention training in Utah schools.

February 7, 2015: Smart's First Child Born

On February 7, 2015, Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour welcomed their first child, a daughter named Chloe Rose.

2015: Smart Featured in Faith Counts Video

In 2015, Faith Counts featured Elizabeth Smart in a video in which she explained how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.

September 2016: Smart Becomes Correspondent for Crime Watch Daily

As of September 2016, Elizabeth Smart became a correspondent for the true-crime show "Crime Watch Daily".

April 2, 2017: Smart's Second Child Born

On April 2, 2017, Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour welcomed their second child, a son named James.

June 5, 2017: "I Am Elizabeth Smart" Aired on Lifetime

On June 5, 2017, the 15th anniversary of her abduction, Lifetime aired the made-for-TV film "I Am Elizabeth Smart", narrated and produced by Elizabeth Smart, telling the story of her kidnapping from her perspective.

March 2018: Smart's Spokesman Denies Relationship to "Elizabeth Smart Law"

In March 2018, Elizabeth Smart's spokesman denied her relationship to the proposed "Elizabeth Smart Law" requiring all computers to have a pornography filter, and her lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to politicians using her name.

November 7, 2018: Smart's Third Child Born

On November 7, 2018, Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour welcomed their third child, a daughter named Olivia.

2018: "Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up" Published

In 2018, Elizabeth Smart published "Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up" with St. Martin's Press.

2019: Smart's 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. Smart stated that she would support both of her parents during this time.

2019: Smart Reports Incident on Delta Flight, Begins Smart Defense Program

In 2019, while traveling home to Utah aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, Elizabeth Smart alleged that she was awakened by a male passenger next to her rubbing her inner thigh. She reported the incident and began a self-defense program for women and girls called Smart Defense.

2021: Smart Competes on The Masked Dancer

In 2021, Elizabeth Smart competed on "The Masked Dancer" as "Moth", being eliminated during the third episode and placing eighth overall.

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2022: Smart Executive Producer of Stolen By Their Father

In 2022, Elizabeth Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie "Stolen By Their Father" as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film.

2023: The Gilmour Family Lives in Wasatch County

As of 2023, Elizabeth Smart, Matthew Gilmour, and their family lives in Wasatch County, Utah.

2023: Smart Executive Producer of Lifetime Movies

In 2023, Elizabeth Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie "The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" and "Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story" as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film.

2024: Smart Executive Producer of The Girl Locked Upstairs

In 2024, Elizabeth Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie "The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story" as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film.