Elizabeth Smart, who became a household name after her harrowing kidnapping at 14 years old, is once again in the spotlight with the release of a new Netflix documentary titled “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart,” set to premiere on January 21. Smart’s story, which captivated the nation, began in 2002 when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home and subsequently held captive for nine months.
At 38, Smart has transformed her traumatic experience into a mission of advocacy for child safety and support for survivors of sexual abuse. “I’m not just that girl that was kidnapped. That happened to me, but I’m so much more,” she stated during a 2013 interview with CNN.
The documentary aims to provide a comprehensive look at her life, featuring interviews with Smart, her family, and exclusive content that highlights her resilience. Throughout the years, Smart has embraced her role as a public figure dedicated to raising awareness about child abduction and victim support. She established the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011, which focuses on protecting children and empowering survivors through programs like Smart Defense and Smart Talks.
Smart’s personal life has flourished as well. She married Matthew Gilmour in Hawaii in 2012 after meeting during missionary work in France, and they now share three children: Chloe, James, and Olivia. Reflecting on her journey, Smart has often emphasized the importance of her story serving a greater purpose. As she shared, “It needs to bring some good in the world.”
Despite the painful memories associated with her past, Smart continues to advocate for change. She has testified before Congress and played a significant role in pushing for legislation such as the AMBER Alert and the Adam Walsh Act. Following a personal experience of being assaulted on a flight in 2016, she launched the Smart Defense initiative to promote self-defense education for individuals facing threats.
Elizabeth’s sister, Mary Katherine, was instrumental in the investigation that led to Elizabeth’s rescue. Years later, Mary Katherine now leads a private life as a special education teacher and recently earned a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis.
Their parents, Ed and Lois Smart, both became prominent advocates for child safety after their daughter’s abduction. Ed Smart has since focused on helping unhoused youth through his work with Youth Futures Utah. The couple continues to support child protection initiatives, despite their divorce in 2019.
The legal repercussions for Elizabeth’s captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, underline the case’s long-lasting impacts. Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of kidnapping in 2010. Barzee, who had received a much shorter sentence, was released in 2018, a decision that Smart publicly criticized.
Elizabeth Smart’s journey from victim to advocate reflects her unwavering determination to combat the injustices faced by survivors of abduction and abuse. Through her work, she aims to inspire hope, reminding others that they too can emerge strong from their struggles. As Smart eloquently put it in the documentary, her inner voice has evolved to encourage resilience and strength, showcasing the incredible spirit that she embodies.