Patty Hearst

Full Name: Patricia Campbell Hearst
Profession: Hostage and Bank Robber

Nationality:

Biography: Patty Hearst is the granddaughter of American publisher William Randolph Hearst, whose life story was the inspiration for the main character in Orson Welle's Citizen Kane (1941). His granddaughter, however, is better known for her kidnapping by and later involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Hearst was kidnapped in 1974 by a far-left group calling itself the United Federated Forces of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Despite this rocky start, she ultimately became a member of the group and participated in a number of crimes they committed including, most notably, a bank robbery during which she was photographed.

The trial following Hearst's arrests was notable for claims that Hearst had been brainwashed during her time with the Symbionese Liberation Army. She was ultimately convicted for her involvement with the bank robbery and ended up being sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Born: February 20, 1954
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
Age: 70 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Pisces

Historical Events

1974-02-04 American publishing heir William Randolph Hearst’s 19-year-old daughter, Patty Hearst, is kidnapped from her apartment in Berkeley, California by the Symbionese Liberation Army
1974-02-07 American left-wing guerilla group Symbionese Liberation Army claim responsibility for the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, daughter of American publishing heir Randolph Hearst
1975-09-18 American publishing heiress-turned-bank robber Patty Hearst captured by FBI in San Francisco, California
1976-03-20 American publishing heiress Patty Hearst convicted of armed robbery for her part in a 1974 California heist
1976-09-24 American newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst sentenced to 7 years for her part in a 1974 bank robbery; released after 22 months by US President Jimmy Carter and pardoned by US President Bill Clinton in 2001
1976-11-19 American publishing heiress Patty Hearst is freed on $15 million bail, pending appeal of bank robbery conviction
1978-05-09 American publishing heiress Patty Hearst returns to jail, after legal appeals to her bank robbery conviction fail
1978-08-31 Emily & William Harris plead guilty to 1974 kidnapping of American publishing heiress Patty Hearst
1979-01-29 US President Jimmy Carter commutes Patty Hearst's 7 year jail sentence to time served (22 months)
1979-02-01 American publishing heiress Patty Hearst is released from prison for bank robbery
1979-03-04 "The Ordeal of Patty Hearst", television movie directed by Paul Wendkos, premieres on CBS
1988-09-23 Premiere of director Paul Schrader's crime biopic "Patty Hearst"
2001-01-20 US President Bill Clinton issues 140 executive pardons on his last day in office; recipients include Marc Rich, Susan McDougall, Patty Hearst, and his brother Roger