Elizabeth Smart
After surviving a nine-month abduction as a teen, she dedicated her life to protecting children and advocating for survivors of trauma.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American activist and kidnap survivor·Birthday: November 3·Millennials
Biography
Elizabeth Smart's name became synonymous with a parent's worst nightmare in 2002, when she was taken from her Salt Lake City bedroom at age fourteen. Her nine-month captivity, marked by horrific abuse, ended with a dramatic public rescue. Rather than retreat from the spotlight, Smart harnessed her ordeal into a force for change. She founded a foundation focused on child safety and prevention programs, became a frequent commentator on missing persons cases, and authored a memoir. Her congressional testimony helped shape legislation, and she speaks with a disarming calm about resilience, shifting the national conversation from victimhood to empowerment and practical action.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Elizabeth was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Elizabeth Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Elizabeth's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, dedicated to preventing crimes against children.
- Authored the bestselling memoir 'My Story,' detailing her abduction and rescue.
- Successfully advocated for the passage of the Protect Act, which created a national AMBER Alert system.
- Serves as a contributor and analyst on crime and safety for ABC News.
Did You Know?
She is a skilled harpist and often played during her captivity.
She married her husband, Matthew Gilmour, in a Hawaiian ceremony in 2012.
She has served as a correspondent for the 'Crime Watch Daily' television program.
She received a degree in music from Brigham Young University.
“My past does not define me. It's not something that's going to hold me back.”
