Patty Hearst

Patty Hearst
John Mathew Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Patty Hearst
Birth name	Patricia Campbell Hearst
Birth date	February 20, 1954
Birth place	San Francisco, California, United States
Occupation	Heiress, socialite, actress
Known for	Symbionese Liberation Army involvement
Parents	Randolph Apperson Hearst, Catherine Wood Campbell
Relatives	William Randolph Hearst, George Hearst

Patty Hearst is a member of the wealthy Hearst Corporation family, known for her involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a left-wing terrorist organization. Born into a life of privilege, she was the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, a renowned newspaper publisher and founder of the Hearst Corporation. Her family's influence and wealth were evident in their connections to prominent figures such as Nelson Rockefeller and Ronald Reagan. The Hearst family was also known for their philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Hearst Foundation, which supported various charitable causes.

Early life and background

Patty Hearst was born in San Francisco, California, to Randolph Apperson Hearst and Catherine Wood Campbell. She was raised in a life of luxury, with her family's wealth and influence providing her with access to exclusive institutions such as the Crystal Springs Uplands School and the University of California, Berkeley. Her family's connections to prominent figures like Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon were also notable. The Hearst family was part of the American aristocracy, with ties to other wealthy families like the Rockefellers and the Du Ponts. Patty Hearst's early life was marked by privilege and opportunity, with her family's wealth and influence providing her with a unique perspective on the world.

Kidnapping and SLA involvement

On February 4, 1974, Patty Hearst was kidnapped from her apartment in Berkeley, California, by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a left-wing terrorist organization. The SLA, led by Donald DeFreeze, demanded a ransom and the release of two SLA members, Russell Little and Joseph Remiro, who were being held in San Quentin State Prison. During her captivity, Patty Hearst became involved with the SLA and eventually participated in their activities, including a bank robbery in San Francisco. The SLA's ideology was influenced by Maoism and the Black Panther Party, and they saw themselves as a revolutionary force fighting against the United States government and the capitalist system. Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA was also influenced by her interactions with other members, including Wendy Yoshimura and William Harris.

Arrest, trial, and conviction

Patty Hearst was arrested on September 18, 1975, in San Francisco, along with other SLA members, including William Harris and Emily Montague. She was charged with bank robbery and other crimes related to her involvement with the SLA. Her trial began in 1976, with F. Lee Bailey serving as her defense attorney. The prosecution, led by James L. Browning Jr., presented evidence of Patty Hearst's involvement in the SLA's activities, including her participation in the bank robbery. The trial was widely publicized, with many notable figures, including Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, weighing in on the case. Patty Hearst was ultimately convicted of bank robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Prison sentence and commutation

Patty Hearst was sentenced to seven years in prison, but her sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, after she had served 22 months. Her commutation was supported by many notable figures, including Norman Mailer and Gloria Steinem, who argued that she had been a victim of brainwashing and coercion by the SLA. The commutation was also influenced by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Organization for Women (NOW), which advocated for her release. After her release from prison, Patty Hearst was placed on probation and began to rebuild her life.

Later life and legacy

After her release from prison, Patty Hearst began to rebuild her life, eventually marrying Bernard Shaw, a police officer, and starting a family. She also became an actress, appearing in films such as John Waters's Cry-Baby and Serial Mom. Patty Hearst's legacy is complex and multifaceted, with some viewing her as a victim of circumstance and others seeing her as a willing participant in the SLA's activities. Her story has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including Paul Schrader's Patty Hearst and Robert Stone's Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst. The Symbionese Liberation Army's ideology and activities have also been the subject of study, with many scholars, including Todd Gitlin and Sara Evans, examining the group's role in the American left and the counterculture movement. Today, Patty Hearst is a private citizen, living with her family in Connecticut and working as an actress and a writer. Her story continues to fascinate and intrigue, serving as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of the 1970s and the American experience. Category:American socialites