Elizabeth Smart is rewriting her story, and how! More than two decades after surviving one of the most memorable kidnapping cases in America’s history, the former teen is now thriving in life as an advocate for trauma survivors, and even as a bodybuilder.
On April 21, 2026, Elizabeth shared her jaw-dropping transformation as a bodybuilder. On her Instagram, the child safety activist proudly celebrated her chiselled body as she stood on stage at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness competition, which took place last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was her fourth bodybuilding competition.
With her bold new side, Elizabeth Smart’s followers are once again looking back at her traumatic nine-month disappearance in 2002 and celebrating how far she has come.
Inside Elizabeth Smart’s life as a mom of three
Today, Elizabeth Smart is a professional harp player and bodybuilder, and she describes herself as a “survivor, mother, [and] wife” on her Instagram bio. She has built a family of her own, along with her husband, Matthew Gilmour, whom she married in 2012 in a ceremony in Hawaii after a year of dating. Matthew has been her strength in her quest to become a child safety advocate, and the couple has since welcomed their three children, Chloé, James, and Olivia.
Regarding motherhood, Elizabeth draws inspiration from her own mother, Lois Smart, whose resolve to bring her daughter back and consistent interaction with the investigators kept her search from dying down. Deeply inspired by her mom, Elizabeth has long been a mother to her future kids, mentally. In a 2014 interview with PEOPLE, Elizabeth said:
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my mom … My mom is a hero and has influenced my life more than any other person, and I’d like to have that same influence on my children.”
Meet Elizabeth Smart’s children
Elizabeth and Matthew welcomed their first child, a daughter, Chloé, in February 2015. The couple describes their firstborn as a curious child who has grown up to be an empathetic 11-year-old. Their second child and only son, James, was born in April 2017 and is now nine years old. James was born around Easter, and his arrival was symbolic of new beginnings for the teen survivor. Elizabeth has shared on social media and in interviews that James brings a lively and joyful presence to their home, with his curious mind keeping them busy.
Just a little over a year after James’ birth, Elizabeth became a mom for the third time, welcoming their youngest daughter, Olivia, in November 2018. Olivia’s arrival was like a full-circle moment for the family, and the proud mom says the three siblings get along really well. The family of five now resides away from media glare in a quiet neighbourhood in Utah.
Do Elizabeth’s children know about the kidnapping?
When it comes to protecting her children and keeping them involved in her journey, Elizabeth has kept an open approach, albeit with some careful boundaries. As a mother and a child safety advocate, she believes in divulging parts of her traumatic past with the kids, but of course, in age-appropriate ways. The former teen survivor has openly shared that all three of her children are aware of her 2002 abduction, but only in a way that doesn’t scar their innocence.
Elizabeth shares her story to make sure that her children are aware of the reality of society rather than imagining a perfect and unrealistic life. Rather than shielding her children completely, she believes in helping them understand that hardship is part of life. In a 2021 interview with E! News, Elizabeth shared:
“With all my children, really, I certainly never want to hide what happened in the past, because every single one of us has a past… Every single one of us has had something happen in our lives. It’s unrealistic to think that we will all just have a perfect life. We will all face hardships and struggles…and so I have begun to speak to her as she asked questions. But with that being said, it’s not all at once. And it’s age-appropriate, to the best of my ability.”
It’s no surprise that Elizabeth Smart is deeply protective of her kids, given her terrifying past. While her concern for them is admittedly never-ending, she also doesn’t want them to lose their innocence and grow up afraid. She believes the best approach is to focus on awareness and teaching the little ones to trust their instincts and prioritise their safety from an early age. This balance, she believes, will help them have a normal upbringing with adequate social awareness.
Elizabeth Smart’s 2002 kidnapping, which kept the entire nation on its toes
Elizabeth was just 14 years old when she was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in Salt Lake City on June 5, 2002. Her disappearance quickly became a major talking point nationwide, leading to a relentless manhunt that lasted nine months. At one point, the investigators had lost hope and believed the teen had been killed in custody.
Credit: Netflix
Investigators initially explored every possibility, including possible family involvement, and conducted extensive forensic checks before clearing them. As weeks turned months, hope began to fade, especially after key suspects led to dead ends and false alarms. Then, in March 2003, Elizabeth was miraculously found alive, walking in public with her captors. Her story has been documented on Netflix’s Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which aired in January 2026.
Looking back, Elizabeth’s traumatic past has been part of her journey to reclaim her identity. Now, she wants her kids to know enough about the dark side of the world to save themselves.
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