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Kristin Murphy / AP file
Elizabeth Smart. (AP Photo/Deseret News, Kristin Murphy)
Elizabeth Smart, the Utah woman who was kidnapped at age 14 and held captive for nine months, is engaged, a spokesman said Friday.
The 24-year-old Smart accepted the proposal last weekend and plans to marry this year.
No details about the groom-to-be were disclosed and Smart plans to keep her personal life private, Thomas said.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, wedding registries online at Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn list an April 7 wedding date for an Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour in Utah.
Smart's father, Ed Smart, told The Associated Press his future son-in-law is a "fine young man." He said he was pleased for his daughter and hopes she will have a happy life.
Thomas told the Tribune that Smart plans to continue her public advocacy work.
"She is going to be involved in child advocacy work for a long, long time and really decided that she wants to keep her husband and [future] children out of the public spotlight."
Smart, who is of Mormon faith, completed her mission in France last year.
'Nine months of hell'
Onetime itinerant street preacher Brian David Mitchell was convicted in 2010 of Smart's 2001 kidnapping and sexual assault. He's serving a life prison sentence.
Smart had described her heartbreaking ordeal during Mitchell's trial as "nine months of hell."
Smart was 14 when she was abducted from the bedroom of her family home in Salt Lake City. She had testified in excruciating detail during Mitchell's trial about waking up in the early hours of June 5, 2002, to the feel of a cold knife at her throat and being whisked away by Mitchell to his camp in the foothills near the Smart family home.
Within hours of the kidnapping, she testified, she was stripped of her favorite red pajamas, draped in white, religious robes and forced into a polygamous marriage with Mitchell. She was tethered to a metal cable strung between two trees and subjected to near-daily rapes while being forced to use alcohol and drugs.
She said she was forced to live homeless, dress in disguises and stay quiet or lie about her identity if ever approached by strangers or police. Daily, her life and those of her family members were threatened by Mitchell, she has said.
A jury earlier unanimously convicted the 57-year-old Mitchell in December 2010 of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines for sex.
Wanda Barzee, Mitchell's estranged wife and a co-defendant in the case, is already serving a 15-year sentence in a federal prison hospital in Texas for her role in the kidnapping.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
Leave a Comment:
Good to hear. I am glad to see Elizabeth move forward in her life than sit back and whine about it then blame society for her problems and become dependant on the government like so many of those do. Yes I am talking to you.
Your fortitude is truly inspiring to millions of people; You go for it girl !!!
I don't want to be mean, but really MSNBC, this is what you call News? Smart's father exploited the girl's tragedy long enough - book tours, TV appearances, talking about her rape - and I don't see why Smart's life continues to be relevant, and news worthy.
1) That crazy SOB that kidnapped her certainly wasn't blind - wow, she is good looking.
2) Man, I've had girlfriends with baggage, but ya gotta give it to her fiance - this is a heck of a lot of baggage to be walking into eyes open.
van man: she was 14 then. Would have no idea how she'd look later.......You are creepy!
So, it says there are no details about the groom-to-be and that she wants to keep her private life secret. And then right below it you can tell they went and snooped and reported about him anyway. THANKS MEDIA! Really?? Do they not get it?? Anyway, I wish her all the best and luck for the future.
come on, Brit: they knew the minute they registered so openly with his name that they were making him public. It's a game, they are flirting with the media. If they truly wanted privacy: they would of just listed Elizabeth's name, and then told guests to only look for the name Smart. Imagine a celebrity inviting the media in like that, registering at Crate & Barrel Pit/Jolie. But we want to keep our wedding date a secret! Shhhhhh don't tell the media!
Blessing abound to Matthew and Elizabeth. And to Leroy , Elizabeth did not ask to be in the public eye, it was the two creeps who pushed her into the public eye. She was just a young girl at home with a loving family. And if this youing couple wants their privacy, then she shall have it, she deserves the privacy. Why did you read this story just to be critical of her. Shame on you, and God have mercy on you or anyone else who thinks this is just a sin free blonde princess. So get a life and leave this soon to be young family to their life and privacy!
Elizabeth Smart is a testament of survival, the defeat of crime committed against her. This upcoming milestone in her life is a celebration of what is good value for a blessed union.
Congrats, nothing but the best wishes for you and your husband.
Bless her heart!! I wish her everything good to come to her in her life. Such a brave young lady....she deserves nothing but the best. No more nightmares in this life.
Congratulations Elizabeth - move forward with happiness as Mrs. Elizabeth ????? (Psst keep that part to yourself :) )
God bless you young lady!! I hope you have a wonderful life and beautiful children! Your guy must be really special to you.
Honestly do we need to hear about this. Leave the girl alone I dont think we need to hear about this. If it was me i would just want to be left alone. But of course the media has nothing better to do but bug people who dont want to be bothered. U notice she says she wants her life PRIVATE. So whether you are happy for her or not. She doesnt want us in her business.
Isn't it 9 years instead of 9 months??
she looks beautiful. wish her and her to be husband a peaceful happy life together.
Best Wishes, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Smart is a classy woman and a smart dresser.
She's 24 yrs old and wearing GOP powersuits. BORING!!!!!! Best wishes to her.
I hope she has truly moved past her awful experience and can go on to build a happy life.
Fantastic news to the Smart family and to you Elizabeth! Your happiness is richly deserved. God Bless.
Congratulations, Elizabeth! You're one resilient shining lady!
Ummm .... whatever happened to editing. 9 years, not 9 months.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Smart. However, I don't know that I would trust Ed Smart when he says "he's a fine young man." This is the same man that thought Brian David Mitchell was fine enough to bring to his home with young children.
JD: the guy was a day worker for 2 days. Never stayed over and was paid and gone for many months. I don't like Mr. Smart much, but at least he was trying to help someone in need...and save money!
All that aside, the rich get criticized when they turn away people who got the freaky side of the stick, but then when something happens: they feel guilty.
Obviously you were a perfect parent with ex ray vision through the clothing into the soul of all those who were in contact with your kids...good for you!
I thought it was more like 9 years instead of 9 minths.Does anyone proof read anymore?
No, Elizabeth was only for 9 months. June of 2002-March of 2003. You may be thinking of Jaycee Dugard. But either way it's a horrible thing for a young woman to have to go through.
Good wishes for Elizabeth...have a really happy and productive life. I think everyone wishes you well.
Held captive for nine years, not nine months, wasn't she?? The article reads 9 months.
She looks beautiful, wish all the luck in the world.
Oh doctor phil you have company comeing for dinner