Elizabeth Smart Marks 21st Anniversary of Kidnapping Rescue: ‘Always Be a Reminder That Miracles Happen’

The activist and commentator was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City at the age of 14 in 2002

Elizabeth Smart is marking the 21st anniversary of her rescue after being kidnapped.

The activist and commentator, 36, who was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City at the age of 14 in June 2002, shared a TikTok video on Tuesday to mark the date of her rescue.

“Today is March 12th and it will always be a reminder that miracles happen and that there are dreams that come true and that good things are abundant in this world,” Smart said in the clip.

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“For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Elizabeth Smart and back in 2002 I was kidnapped and I was held hostage for nine months but I was rescued on March 12th of 2003,” she continued. “So today is 21 years since I was rescued.”

She went on to say, “I know anniversaries mean a lot of different things for different people and I respect whatever it means to everyone individually but for me, it really is a reminder that life is good and that dreams really do come true and that we should never ever give up.”

Smart added that despite struggles and hard times, “good things do come,” adding that it’s important to “savor the happiness and savor the joy in life.”

She then finished the video by saying, “No matter where you are at, I hope you find happiness.”

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“Today is the 21st anniversary of being rescued,” Smart’s caption under the TikTok video read. “My life is far from perfect but I’m so happy and grateful for the life I have today. #elizabethsmart #survivor #anniversary #rescue.”

Meanwhile, Smart also shared an Instagram carousel post to mark the 21st anniversary of her rescue.

The snaps included her husband Matthew Gilmour, whom she married in 2012, and their three children, whom they welcomed in 2015, 2017 and 2018. The mother of three also included a behind-the-scenes snap of her on a TV show, a picture from her wedding day and more family photos.

Smart was abducted from her bed on June 4, 2002, by an armed street pastor, Brian David Mitchell. Her then-9-year-old sister Mary Katherine Smart, who shared the same bedroom, was present during the kidnapping but pretended to be asleep. She then woke her parents up after the abduction to tell them what had happened.

Smart was held in captivity by Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee for nine months. She was then found after a couple had recognized Mitchell in Sandy, Utah from an airing of America’s Most Wanted.

Mitchell was convicted on kidnapping charges and sentenced to life in prison in 2010, while Barzee was sentenced to 15 years in prison but was released in 2018.

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