when Elizabeth Smart was abducted and kidnapped from her childhood bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002, her family was catapulted into the spotlight as the world prepared to find her.
While Elizabeth’s parents, Ed Smart i Lois Smartwere quick to speak to the media about their daughter’s disappearance, the family briefly became suspects in the case. However, their names were eventually cleared when Elizabeth’s captors, Brian David Mitchell i Wanda Barzeethey were arrested
As the case is analyzed in the upcoming Netflix documentary Abducted: Elizabeth Smartthe public has been interested in knowing more about Elizabeth’s mother and father.
Who are Elizabeth Smart’s parents?
Ed and Lois were married in 1986 and have six children. In addition to Elizabeth, they share children Carlos, Andreu, Eduard i William and daughter Maria Katherine.
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Ed is a real estate and mortgage broker, while Lois works as a public speaker. The duo are also published authors and co-wrote the 2003 book Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope about Elizabeth’s abduction.
In 2019, Ed came out as gay. That same year, Lois filed for divorce after 34 years of marriage, according to records obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Before their separation, Ed and Lois were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and raised their children in the same faith.
Where is Ed Smart today?
Ed made headlines when he came out as gay in 2019. He appeared in CBS this morning to discuss the news, revealing that she called each of her children individually to share the update.
“I wanted every one of them to hear this from me,” Ed told the host Gayle King. “That grenade had been building up for so many years that when it got the chance to go off, it was ready.”
At the time, she acknowledged that her children were “processing” and “probably struggling” with the news. However, he added that he felt “her love” and was “very grateful for that.”
Elizabeth showed support to her parents during the time of their separation. “My parents taught me as a child that they would love me unconditionally no matter what,” she said. today in 2019.
“Although I am deeply saddened by their separation, nothing could change my love and admiration for both of them,” she added. “Their decisions are very personal. As such, I will not judge and rather focus on loving and supporting them and the rest of my family.”
Ed will appear on Netflix Abducted: Elizabeth Smartwhere he will recount his family’s experience and share new insights into the appalling situation.
Where is Lois Smart today?
While Ed has been open about his life in recent years, Lois has chosen to live a more private life.
She previously appeared in the 2017 television miniseries Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography and in a 2021 episode of the “Crime Junkie” Podcast.. However, Lois opted out of the new Netflix documentary about the kidnapping of his daughter.
Abducted: Elizabeth Smart will premiere on Netflix on January 21, 2026.