Ed Smart's Evolving Legacy: From Kidnapping Crisis To LGBTQ+ Advocacy And O.U.R. Mission

Edward "Ed" Smart remains one of the most recognizable and influential voices in the world of child safety and missing persons advocacy, a role tragically cemented by the 2002 abduction of his daughter, Elizabeth Smart. As of December 2025, Smart continues his relentless mission, leveraging his personal trauma to drive significant change in legislation and rescue operations worldwide. His story is one of profound public advocacy, private struggle, and remarkable personal evolution, making him a complex and enduring figure in the national conversation on recovery and resilience. His journey has evolved significantly beyond the initial crisis, encompassing a deeply personal reckoning with his own identity and a focused, current commitment to fighting human trafficking on a global scale. This article explores the latest updates on Ed Smart's life, his key advocacy roles with organizations like Operation Underground Railroad, and the full scope of his inspiring, yet challenging, personal and professional biography.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Edward Smart

Ed Smart's life has been defined by his commitment to family, his faith, and his subsequent transformation into a tireless advocate. His profile details a successful career that was abruptly reshaped by one of the most high-profile kidnapping cases in American history.

• Full Name: Edward "Ed" Smart
• Born: May 29, 1959
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 66 years old
• Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Education: Bachelor Degree in Finance and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from George Washington University (GWU)
• Former Occupation: Real Estate and Mortgage Company Owner/Entrepreneur
• Spouses: Lois Smart (Divorced in 2019, married for 34 years); Remarried to a man (Name not widely publicized)
• Children: Elizabeth Smart and four other children (five total)
• Key Life Events: Daughter Elizabeth Smart abducted in 2002 and rescued in 2003; Publicly came out as gay in 2019
• Current Advocacy Roles:
  • Rehab and Prevention Program Director, Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.)
  • Vice President, The Elizabeth Smart Foundation
  • Former Executive Director, The Elizabeth Smart Foundation
  • Former President, Surviving Parents Coalition (SPC)

The Enduring Crisis: The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart

The event that thrust Ed Smart into the national spotlight began on June 5, 2002, when his 14-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Smart, was abducted from their Salt Lake City, Utah, home. The subsequent nine months of searching and media attention solidified the Smart family as a symbol of parental anguish and determination. Ed Smart's face became synonymous with the desperate search for a missing child. He and his wife, Lois Smart, worked tirelessly with law enforcement and the media, keeping Elizabeth's story in the public eye. His advocacy efforts during this period were instrumental in mobilizing public support and resources. The rescue came miraculously on March 12, 2003, when Elizabeth was found walking with her captors in Sandy, Utah, just 18 miles from her home. The abductors were the self-proclaimed prophet Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. The trial and conviction of Mitchell and Barzee for their crimes, including kidnapping and sexual assault, were a major focus for the family for years afterward. The trauma of the event led Ed Smart to dedicate his life to ensuring other families would not suffer the same fate. He co-founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which focuses on providing hope and promoting safety through education and prevention programs for survivors and their families.

Current Focus: O.U.R. and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

In the years following the crisis, Ed Smart has channeled his energy into hands-on intervention and prevention. His most recent and significant professional role is with Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking and exploitation. As the Rehab and Prevention Program Director for O.U.R., Smart’s work is deeply focused on the aftermath of rescue. This role involves developing programs that help survivors, particularly children, transition back into society and begin the long, difficult process of healing and recovery. His personal experience as the father of a survivor gives his advocacy a unique, powerful resonance, allowing him to connect with families and victims on a deeply empathetic level. His work today is a testament to the idea that recovery is a continuous, community-based process. He frequently speaks publicly about the need for better resources for rehabilitation, stressing that the rescue is only the first step in a survivor's journey. Smart’s efforts with O.U.R. also often include working cooperatively with other organizations and law enforcement to enhance child protection measures globally.

A Personal Evolution: Coming Out and Remarriage

In 2019, Ed Smart made headlines again, this time for a deeply personal and transformative announcement: he publicly came out as gay. This revelation came after 34 years of marriage to Lois Smart, and it led to their subsequent divorce. Smart described the decision to come out as a long and painful journey, deeply intertwined with his identity as a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and a public figure. He revealed that his wife, Lois, had asked him directly about his orientation, prompting him to finally acknowledge his truth. This courageous step added a new dimension to his public persona, transforming him from solely a child safety advocate into a voice for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly within the context of faith and family. Ed Smart has since remarried, finding happiness with his husband. His daughter, Elizabeth Smart, has consistently expressed support for both of her parents, emphasizing that the family remains united despite the changes in their structure. Ed Smart's willingness to share this intensely personal evolution provides a powerful message of authenticity and the possibility of finding happiness and self-acceptance at any stage of life. His story, encompassing both the public trauma of the kidnapping and the private struggle of identity, solidifies his legacy as a prominent figure who champions both the safety of children and the truth of the self.