- Elizabeth Smart met husband Matthew Gilmour during a Mormon mission trip in 2009.
- They married in 2012 and have three children together.
- Their story is highlighted in Netflix’s docuseries that premiered Jan. 21.
Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted in 2002, has found a new chapter of her life with husband Matthew Gilmour. Their story, featured in Netflix’s docuseries that premiered Jan. 21, showcases how the couple has built a family and a future together. Readers can learn how Smart’s resilience and Gilmour’s support have shaped their shared journey.
Early Years and Kidnapping
Elizabeth Smart was abducted at 14 in 2002 and held captive for nine months before being rescued. The traumatic experience left her with lasting memories, yet she has spoken openly about her recovery. In a 2026 interview with News Of Los Angeles, she reflected on how motherhood gave her a new perspective on her parents’ pain during her kidnapping.
“When I first got home, I remember thinking, ‘What I went through was the worst thing ever. Nobody was hurting you. Nobody was depriving you of food or water, or chaining you up. You all had each other, and I had no one,’ ” she said. “Now, watching their pain and emotion play out [in the new documentary], I know that if they could have gone through it themselves to protect me, they would have. That’s just what parents do.”
Meeting Matthew Gilmour
The couple first crossed paths in Paris while both serving on Mormon mission trips for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They remained friends for nearly two years before romance blossomed. In 2009, Gilmour invited Smart to visit him back home in Aberdeen, Scotland.
“When I walked off the plane in Aberdeen, Scotland and he was waiting for me I knew I had come home (not the country), I knew he was immediately my best friend, and everything I could ever want in a spouse,” Smart wrote on Instagram in 2018.
Gilmour, originally from Aberdeen, later attended Brigham Young University from 2015 to 2017, according to his LinkedIn. Smart also studied music at BYU, according to her website.
Marriage and Family Life
In February 2012, Smart and Gilmour married on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii-a place that held special meaning from her rescue recovery. The couple celebrated their wedding with a private ceremony that echoed the refuge they found in each other.
“Oahu is a very special place for me, very different than what I was used to,” she told News Of Los Angeles after the wedding.
They welcomed their first child, daughter Chloé, on Feb. 7, 2015. The family grew with son James in April 2017 and daughter Olivia in Nov. 2018. Smart has expressed that the children bring her immense joy.
“To me, they’re the very definition of love,” she said.
In February 2021, Smart celebrated the couple’s nine-year wedding anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post. She reflected on the support Gilmour has given her.
“I remember when Matthew proposed I was of course over the moon but I also had the very distinct thought that ‘he will help me be the best I can be, push me to grow, and reach beyond my comfort zone,’ ” she captioned the post. “Here we are today and it’s still true! I love him so much and am so grateful we found each other.”
Business and Personal Life
Gilmour is the co-founder of Park City Host, a vacation rental and property management company in Utah. He has described his affinity for the natural beauty of the mountains as a key factor in his love for Park City.
Smart has called Gilmour a “loyal friend” and the “sweetest father” in a December 2017 Instagram post. He keeps a low public profile, with his social media accounts set to private.
The couple frequently travels together, sharing moments from Italy, Mexico, Florida, and Las Vegas on social media.
Public Reflections and Support
Smart has spoken candidly about how she never feels pressured or experiences flashbacks when with Gilmour.
“With him nothing was ever scary or uncomfortable, I never have felt pressured or dealt with flashbacks while being with him,” she said.
She has also urged others to seek help if they have been victims of sexual abuse.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Key Takeaways
- Elizabeth Smart’s journey from kidnapping survivor to family woman is highlighted in a Netflix docuseries.
- Her marriage to Matthew Gilmour began during a Mormon mission trip and has produced three children.
- Gilmour’s business venture, Park City Host, reflects his love for the mountains and stable family life.
- Smart’s openness about trauma and recovery offers hope and resources for others facing similar challenges.
Timeline of Major Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Smart abducted at 14 |
| 2009 | Met Gilmour in Paris |
| 2012 | Married in Oahu |
| 2015 | First child, Chloé, born |
| 2017 | Second child, James, born |
| 2018 | Third child, Olivia, born |
| 2021 | Celebrated nine-year anniversary |
| 2026 | Discussed motherhood perspective with News Of Los Angeles |
