Elizabeth Smart

{{short description|American activist and kidnap survivor (born 1987)}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Elizabeth Smart

|birth_name = Elizabeth Ann Smart

|image = File:COD Presents An Evening with Elizabeth Smart (53280517841) (3x4a) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Smart in 2023

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|11|3}}

|birth_place = Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.

|spouse = {{marriage|Matthew Gilmour|2012}}

|children = 3

|occupation = {{hlist|Activist|journalist}}

|education = Brigham Young University (BM)

|known_for = Abduction survivor

|website = {{URL|elizabethsmart.com}}

}}

Elizabeth Ann Gilmour (née Smart; born November 3, 1987){{Cite news |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=October 27, 2022}} is an American child safety activist and commentator for ABC News.{{Cite web |last=Smolowe |first=Jill |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Elizabeth Smart: 'I Forgive Him' |url=https://people.com/archive/elizabeth-smart-i-forgive-him-vol-75-no-22/ |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=People}} She gained national attention at age 14 when she was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City by Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, held Smart captive for nine months until she was rescued by police officers on a street in Sandy, Utah.

Smart has since gone on to work as an activist and advocate for missing persons and speaking out against abstinence-only education.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Abstinence-only education can make rape survivors feel 'dirty,' 'filthy' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna51793513 |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Her life and abduction have been the subject of numerous non-fiction books and films.

Early life

Elizabeth Ann Smart was born on November 3, 1987, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Edward "Ed" and Lois Smart. Her family was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{cite web|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/01/01/258687244/elizabeth-smart-shares-about-her-faith-and-kidnapping|title=Elizabeth Smart Shares About Her Faith And Kidnapping|series=Tell Me More|date=December 31, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2017}} She is the second-oldest child in her family; she has four brothers and one sister. Smart attended Bryant Middle School and East High School in Salt Lake City. She later enrolled in Brigham Young University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in harp performance.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/10/21/gone-girl-2 |title=Gone Girl |last=Talbot |first=Margaret |date=October 21, 2013 |website=newyorker.com |publisher=New Yorker}}{{Cite web |url=http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/05/elizabeth-smart-honored-for-legacy-of-hope/ |title=Elizabeth Smart honored for 'Legacy of Hope' |last=Hanson |first=Kurt |date=November 5, 2012 |website=universe.byu.edu}}

Kidnapping

On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in her family's house in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the next nine months, she was raped daily, tied up, and threatened with death if she attempted to escape.{{cite news|url=http://heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/article_947aa289-48f1-522f-b434-f37911dbffa1.html|title=Elizabeth Smart says she was raped daily|year=2009|newspaper=The Daily Herald|access-date=October 7, 2009|archive-date=October 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004092620/http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/article_947aa289-48f1-522f-b434-f37911dbffa1.html|url-status=dead}} She was rescued by police officers on March 12, 2003, on a public street in Sandy, Utah, {{convert|18|mi|km}} from her home. Two witnesses recognized abductors Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee from an America's Most Wanted episode.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

On November 16, 2009, Barzee pled guilty to assisting in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors.{{cite news |title=Barzee expected to enter guilty plea in Smart case |url=http://heraldextra.com/news/local/article_adaad756-d2ee-11de-8808-001cc4c002e0.html |newspaper=The Daily Herald |year=2009 |access-date=November 16, 2009 |archive-date=November 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118145617/http://heraldextra.com/news/local/article_adaad756-d2ee-11de-8808-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=dead }} On May 19, 2010, federal Judge Dale A. Kimball sentenced Barzee to 15 years in federal prison. As part of a plea deal between the defense and federal prosecutors, he gave Barzee credit for seven years that she had already served.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/08/elizabeth.smart.plea/index.html|title=Elizabeth Smart kidnapper pleads guilty to trying to abduct cousin - CNN.com|website=CNN News|language=en|access-date=August 28, 2019}} The court found Mitchell competent to stand trial for kidnapping and sexual assault charges. He was found guilty on both counts and sentenced in May 2011 to two life terms in federal prison.{{cite news |title=Elizabeth Smart Tells Kidnapper She'll Live a Good Life Moments Before He Gets a Life Sentence |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/elizabeth-smart-tells-kidnapper-shell-live-a-good-life-moments-before-he-gets-a-life-sentence/ |publisher=FoxNews.com |access-date=May 26, 2011 |date=May 25, 2011}}

Activism and media coverage

File:Elizabeth Smart White House.jpg in the Roosevelt Room at the signing of the PROTECT Act of 2003]]

File:Elizabeth Smart Speaks About Overcoming Trauma.jpg

Smart's uncle, Tom Smart, and author Lee Benson wrote a book about the search for Smart, In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation. Her father wrote another book about Smart's kidnapping, called Bringing Elizabeth Home. A television movie, The Elizabeth Smart Story, was made in 2003, based on the book by Smart's father.

On March 8, 2006, Smart spoke before the United States Congress to support sexual predator legislation and the AMBER Alert system. On July 26, 2006, she spoke at an event held following the signing of the Adam Walsh Act. Smart was one of five recovered young adults who contributed entries to the 2008 book You're Not Alone, which was published by the U.S. Department of Justice. She appeared at a May 2008 event promoting the book.{{cite web|title=You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment|url=https://www.ojjdp.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=244130|publisher=Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention|access-date=September 12, 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/05/smart.cnna/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |title= Elizabeth Smart hopes to aid victims |publisher=CNN }}{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |first=Pat |last=Reavy |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Ready for college and moving on after kidnapping |newspaper=Deseret News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521014443/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }} In 2009, Smart commented on the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard. She shared that, in her own experience of recovering from trauma, she had found dwelling on the past to be unproductive.{{Cite web |last=Oh |first=Eunice |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Elizabeth Smart's Advice to Jaycee Dugard: Move Forward in Life |url=https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217191708/https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |website=People}}{{Cite web |last=James |first=Frank |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gives Jaycee Dugard Advice |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/08/kidnap_victim_elizabeth_smarts.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=NPR}}

In October 2009, Smart spoke at the 2009 Women's Conference in California (hosted by Maria Shriver) on the topic of overcoming obstacles in life.{{cite web |url=http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |access-date=March 14, 2010 |title=The Women's Conference hosted by California's First Lady |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416100743/http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }} In 2011, Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,{{cite web |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2017 |work=CNN}} which aims to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through prevention, recovery, and advocacy.{{cite web |url=https://www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org/ |title=Home |website=elizabethsmartfoundation.org}} In March 2011, Smart was one of four women awarded the Diane von Furstenberg Award.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-elizabeth-smart-dvf-award_n_834874 |title=Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Smart Honored By Diane Von Furstenberg |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=HuffPost |first=Hilary |last=Moss |date=March 12, 2011}} On July 7, 2011, ABC News announced that she would work as a commentator for them, mainly focusing on missing persons.{{cite news|last1=Dobner|first1=Jennifer|title=Elizabeth Smart to work as ABC commentator|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-elizabeth-smart-to-work-as-abc-commentator-2011jul07-story.html|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=July 7, 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Lois M.|title=Elizabeth Smart to join ABC for missing-persons insight|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/7/20202414/elizabeth-smart-to-join-abc-for-missing-persons-insight|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=Deseret News|date=July 7, 2011}}

In July 2012, Theta Phi Alpha National Fraternity honored Smart with the Siena Medal award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/about/award-recipients/siena-medalists|title=Siena Medalists {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}} The medal is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member. They named it after their patroness, St. Catherine of Siena.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/awards|title=Awards Recipients {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}}

On May 1, 2013, in a speech at a human trafficking conference at Johns Hopkins University, 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. Having been raped by her captor, she recalled the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs such as those stressed in her Mormon faith.

Many of them teach that a sexually active girl is akin to a chewed piece of gum. "I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm that chewed up piece of gum, nobody re-chews a piece of gum, you throw it away.' And that's how easy it is to feel like you no longer have worth, you no longer have value," Smart said. "Why would it even be worth screaming out? Why would it even make a difference if you are rescued? Your life still has no value." Smart went on to ask that listeners educate children on having self-worth, avoiding viewing themselves as victims.{{cite web |title=Video: Elizabeth Smart speaks at Johns Hopkins University |date=May 7, 2013 |url=http://fox13now.com/2013/05/06/video-elizabeth-smart-speaks-at-johns-hopkins-university/ |access-date=May 9, 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2013/5/7/20796372/did-elizabeth-smart-say-it-s-wrong-to-teach-abstinence |first=Jay|last=Evenson|title=Did Elizabeth Smart say it's wrong to teach abstinence? |publisher=Deseret News |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2021}}

Smart described suicidal thoughts after the first of many rapes by her captor saying "I felt like I wasn't even human anymore."

In October 2013, My Story, a memoir of Smart's experience co-written with Chris Stewart, was published by St. Martin's Press.{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Leslie|date=November 20, 2012|title=Elizabeth Smart Memoir of Her Captivity Is Acquired by St. Martin's|work=The New York Times|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/elizabeth-smart-memoir-of-her-captivity-is-acquired-by-st-martins/|access-date=August 9, 2016}} The book details both Smart's kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to promote awareness about abductions.{{cite web|author=The Associated Press|date=November 23, 2012|title=Congressman-elect writing Elizabeth Smart's memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/11/23/20510211/congressman-elect-writing-elizabeth-smart-s-memoir|access-date=October 9, 2013|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}{{cite web|last=Foy|first=Paul|date=October 7, 2013|title=Elizabeth Smart details experience in Memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2013/10/7/20458182/elizabeth-smart-details-kidnapping-in-new-memoir|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Deseretnews.com}} Smart has played the harp on national television in the United States.{{cite news|date=October 5, 2013|title=Elizabeth Plays The Harp|work=NBC News|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/53191726/#53191726|access-date=September 12, 2017}}

In February 2014, Smart testified before the Utah State House of Representatives in favor of HB 286. The bill would create an optional curriculum for use in Utah schools to provide training on child sexual abuse prevention.{{citation |title= Elizabeth Smart backs bill on child sexual abuse prevention training in schools |url= https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/19/20535738/elizabeth-smart-backs-bill-on-child-sexual-abuse-prevention-training-in-schools|newspaper= Deseret News |first= Madeleine |last= Brown |date= February 19, 2014|access-date=November 1, 2021}} In early 2015, Faith Counts featured Smart in a video in which she explains how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.{{cite news|title=Multi-faith Initiative Viewed by Millions— Faith Counts releases new video featuring Elizabeth Smart|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/multi-faith-initiative-viewed-by-millions|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=Newsroom|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|date=February 6, 2015}} As of September 2016, Smart is a correspondent for the true-crime show Crime Watch Daily.{{Cite web|url=https://fox13now.com/2016/09/15/elizabeth-smart-returns-for-season-two-of-crime-watch-daily-with-chris-hansen/|title=Elizabeth Smart returns for season two of 'Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen'|date=September 15, 2016|website=fox13now.com|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2019}} Various state politicians have proposed bills that would require all computers to have a pornography filter, branding it the "Elizabeth Smart Law." However, in March 2018, her spokesman denied her relationship to the proposal. Her lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to the politicians in which they were ordered not to use her name.[https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/elizabeth-smart-wants-her-name-removed-from-anti-porn-bill/2018/03/26/31a6d1a2-311b-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html Elizabeth Smart demands porn bill backer stop using her name] - Michelle R. Smith, The Washington Post / AP, March 26, 2018

On June 5, 2017, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, Lifetime aired the made-for-TV film titled I Am Elizabeth Smart, narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her perspective. The film starred Alana Boden as Elizabeth Smart, Skeet Ulrich as Brian David Mitchell, Deirdre Lovejoy as Wanda Ileen Barzee, George Newbern as Ed Smart, and Anne Openshaw as Lois Smart.{{cite magazine|last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|date=November 17, 2017|title=Lifetime's 'I Am Elizabeth Smart'|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|url-status=live|department=TV Reviews|magazine=Variety|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171126153148/http://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|archive-date=November 26, 2017|access-date=November 26, 2017}} In 2018, Smart published Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up with St. Martin's Press.{{cite book|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|date=March 27, 2018|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1250115522|language=en}}{{cite web|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|date=March 27, 2018|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-theres-hope-elizabeth-a-smart/1126613159?type=eBook|access-date=July 8, 2018|website=Barnes & Noble|language=en}}

In 2021, Smart competed on The Masked Dancer as "Moth". She was eliminated during the third episode of the series, placing eighth overall in the competition.{{cite magazine|author=Rachel Yang|date=January 13, 2021|title=The Masked Dancer recap: Moth flies away, revealed as famed activist|url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/masked-dancer-season-1-episode-3/|access-date=January 14, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

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 which talked about Lizbeth Meredith's plans to reclaim her daughters after being kept in Greece by Meredith's ex-husband Greg during their visit to him.{{cite news|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/lizbeth-meredith-now|title=Lizbeth Meredith Now: "Stolen by Their Father" Subject Shares Story}}

In 2023, Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the abduction of Kara Robinson at the hands of Richard Evonitz.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-the-kara-robinson-story-1235210908/|title=Lifetime Partners Again with Elizabeth Smart on "The Kara Robinson Story"|website=Deadline|first=Lynnette|last=Rice|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023}} She was later the executive producer of Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thomas.{{cite news|url=https://www.etonline.com/interview-elizabeth-thomas-reflects-on-being-abducted-by-her-teacher-getting-closure-exclusive-209634|title=Elizabeth Thomas Reflects on Being Abducted by Her Teacher, Getting Closure|work=ET Online|first=Miguel A.|last=Melendez|date=August 11, 2023|access-date=August 12, 2023}}

In 2024, 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 which detailed the kidnapping of Tanya Nicole Kach.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-new-movie-tanya-kach-held-captive-by-school-security-guard-8629831|title=Lifetime Teams Up with Elizabeth Smart for New Movie on Tanya Kach, Who Was Held Captive by School Security Guard|website=People|first=KC|last=Baker|date=April 12, 2024|access-date=June 8, 2024}}

Personal life

On November 11, 2009, Smart left Salt Lake City to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris.{{cite news |author=Reavy, Pat |title=Elizabeth Smart could testify before leaving for LDS mission |date=September 17, 2009 |work=Deseret News |url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/9/18/20341070/elizabeth-smart-could-testify-before-leaving-for-lds-mission |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922213842/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705330748/Smart-may-testify-before-mission.html |archive-date=September 22, 2009}}{{cite news |author=McEntee, Peg |title=For Dorotha Smart, it is time to move on |date=November 19, 2009 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/ci_13819040 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126103115/http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13819040 |archive-date=November 26, 2009 }} Smart temporarily returned from her mission in November 2010 to serve as the chief witness in the federal trial of Brian David Mitchell. After the trial, she returned to France to finish her mission, coming home to Utah in early 2011.{{cite web |author=Pat Reavy |url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/5/19/20372592/elizabeth-smart-wants-to-use-her-trials-to-inspire-others|title=Elizabeth Smart wants to use her trials to inspire others|publisher=Deseret News |date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=November 1, 2021}}

While serving as a missionary in the Paris Mission, Smart met Scotland native Matthew Gilmour. In January 2012, after a courtship of one year, they became engaged.{{cite web |url=http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/20/10201087-former-utah-kidnapping-victim-elizabeth-smart-gets-engaged |title=Former Utah kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart gets engaged |date=January 20, 2012 |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122223458/http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/20/10201087-former-utah-kidnapping-victim-elizabeth-smart-gets-engaged |archive-date=January 22, 2012 }}{{cite magazine |url=https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smart-weds-matthew-gilmour/|title=Elizabeth Smart Gets Married |date=February 18, 2013|magazine=People |access-date=November 1, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Elizabeth Smart marries boyfriend in private, spur of the moment Hawaiian ceremony |url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/elizabeth-smart-marries-boyfriend-in-private-spur-of-the-moment-hawaiian-ceremony/ |access-date=February 19, 2012 |publisher=NewsCore |date=February 19, 2012}} They married on February 18, 2012, in a private ceremony in the Laie Hawaii Temple.{{cite news |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/2/19/20498802/elizabeth-smart-marries-in-hawaiian-mormon-temple|title=Elizabeth Smart marries in Hawaiian Mormon temple |last=Lee |first=Jasen |date=February 18, 2012 |newspaper=Deseret News |access-date=November 1, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=James |title=Former kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart marries in Hawaii |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-elizabethsmart-wedding-idUSTRE81I01K20120219 |access-date=February 19, 2012 |newspaper=Reuters |date=February 19, 2012}} Since then, the couple have had three children: daughter Chloe Rose on February 7, 2015; son James on April 2, 2017; and daughter Olivia on November 7, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/05/ed-smarts-big-screen-mission-to-stop-child-sex-trafficking/ |last=Eaton |first=Nate |title=ED SMART'S BIG SCREEN MISSION TO STOP CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=http://people.com/babies/elizabeth-smart-second-child-birth-boy/ |title=Kidnap Survivor Elizabeth Smart Shares First Photo of Her New Baby Boy on Easter Sunday |date=April 16, 2017 |website=people.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2017/4/17/20610453/elizabeth-smart-shares-first-photo-of-adorable-baby-boy-on-easter |title=Elizabeth Smart shares first photo of adorable baby boy on Easter |date=April 17, 2017 |website=Deseret News}}{{cite web|url= https://www.etonline.com/elizabeth-smart-is-pregnant-with-her-third-child-105025|last=Calvario |first=Liz |title=Elizabeth Smart is Pregnant With Her Third Child |date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=July 29, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.srnnews.com/elizabeth-smart-gives-birth-to-third-child-a-baby-girl/|title=Elizabeth Smart gives birth to third child, a baby girl|date=November 19, 2018|website=SRN News}} As of 2023, the family lives in Wasatch County, Utah.{{Cite news |last=Free |first=Cathy |date=2023-03-11 |title=Elizabeth Smart, rescued 20 years ago, now teaches others to fight back |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/03/10/elizabeth-smart-kidnap-rescue-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

In 2019, 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.{{Cite magazine |last=Gajanan |first=Mahita |date=2019-12-10 |title=Elizabeth Smart's Father on Coming Out as Gay, Leaving Mormon Church |url=https://time.com/5747294/elizabeth-smart-father-gay/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-09 |title=Elizabeth Smart's father says coming out as gay was his 2nd 'miracle' |url=https://www.today.com/news/elizabeth-smart-s-father-says-coming-out-gay-was-his-t169471 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}

Also in 2019, while traveling home to Utah aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, 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.{{cite news |title=Elizabeth Smart says she was sexually assaulted on an airplane last year |author1=Doha Madani|author2=Joe Fryer |author3= Elisha Fieldstadt |work=NBC News |date=February 7, 2020 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elizabeth-smart-says-she-was-sexually-assaulted-airplane-last-year-n1131856/ |access-date=May 17, 2020}}

References

=Citations=

=Sources=

{{cite book |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=MacIntosh |first2=Jeane. |title=Held Captive: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Elizabeth Smart |date=2003 |publisher=Avon |isbn=0-06-058020-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/heldcaptivekidna00habe |url-access=registration}}
{{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Ed |last2=Smart |first2=Lois |title=Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope |date=2003 |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0-385-51214-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/bringingelizabet00smar}}
{{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Tom |last2=Benson |first2=Lee |author-link2=Lee Benson |title=In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation |date=2005 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |isbn=1-55652-579-6 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/inplainsightstar00smar}}

External links

{{official website|http://elizabethsmart.com/}}
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4acqH73pus Elizabeth Smart inspirational documentary: "Your Past Does Not Dictate Your Future"]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20091004004400/http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=25470 Elizabeth Smart Missing Child Profile] at America's Most Wanted
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0C2LPXaEW4 Elizabeth Smart's TEDx Talk]

Category:1987 births

Category:21st-century Mormon missionaries

Category:Activists from Utah

Category:American classical harpists

Category:American women classical musicians

Category:American Latter Day Saint writers

Category:American Mormon missionaries in France

Category:American nonprofit executives

Category:American women founders

Category:American women harpists

Category:American women memoirists

Category:Anti–human trafficking activists