Who Is Patty Hearst? Age, Biography and Wiki
Patty Hearst was born on February 20, 1954, making her 71 years old in 2025. She is an American actress and a notable figure in popular culture, primarily recognized for her kidnapping ordeal in 1974. Hearst was abducted by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and later became a controversial figure by participating in criminal activities alongside her captors. After her release, she transitioned into acting, influencing discussions around media, crime, and feminism.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1954 |
| Age | 71 Years |
| Birth Place | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Patty Hearst's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Patty Hearst stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. Her weight has varied throughout her life, especially during the tumultuous periods of her early adulthood. As of 2025, her weight is estimated to be around 130 pounds (59 kg). Body measurements are typically kept private but are generally reported to be around 36-26-36 inches (91-66-91 cm).
At the time of her arrest, Hearst's weight had dropped to 87 pounds (40 kg), and she was described by psychologist Margaret Singer in October 1975 as "a low-IQ, low-affect zombie".
Shortly after her arrest, doctors recorded signs of trauma: her IQ was measured as 112, whereas it had previously been 130; there were huge gaps in her memory regarding her pre-Tania life; she was smoking heavily and had nightmares.
Without a mental illness or defect, a person is considered to be fully responsible for any criminal action not done under duress, which is defined as a clear and present threat of death or serious injury. For Hearst to secure an acquittal on the grounds of having been brainwashed would have been completely unprecedented.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In terms of her family, Patty Hearst comes from a prominent lineage, being the granddaughter of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. She married businessman Bernard Shaw in 1979, and the couple has two daughters, Gillian and Lydia. In 2025, Patty is reported to be happily married and living a relatively low-key life, focusing on her family while distancing herself from the public eye.
Hearst's grandfather William Randolph Hearst created the largest newspaper, magazine, newsreel and film business in the world. Her great-grandmother was philanthropist Phoebe Hearst. The family wielded immense political influence and had opposed organized labor, gold mine workers' interests, and communism since before World War II.
Hearst's father was among a number of heirs to the family fortune and did not control the Hearst interests. Her parents had not considered it necessary to take preventive measures to ensure their children's personal security. At the time of her abduction, Hearst was a sophomore at Berkeley studying art history.
She lived with her fiancé Steven Weed in an apartment in Berkeley.
Net Worth and Salary
Patty Hearst’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million as of 2025. Much of her wealth comes from her film career, including several notable projects and endorsements. Additionally, her family's wealth has had an influence on her financial standing, allowing her to invest wisely over the decades.
According to Hearst's testimony, her captors had demanded she appear enthusiastic during the robbery and warned she would pay with her life for any mistake. Her defense lawyer F. Lee Bailey provided photographs showing that SLA members, including Camilla Hall, had pointed guns at Hearst during the robbery.
In reference to the shooting at Mel's Sporting Goods Store and her decision to not escape, Hearst testified that she was instructed throughout her captivity on what to do in an emergency. She said one class in particular had a situation similar to the store manager's detention of the Harrises.
Hearst testified that "when it happened I didn't even think. I just did it, and if I had not done it and if they had been able to get away they would have killed me."
Career, Business and Investments
Patty Hearst has had a varied career, particularly in the entertainment industry. After her release from captivity, she appeared in numerous films and television series, most notably "Bios: The Patty Hearst Story" and "The Last Word". Her transition into acting was not without controversy, but she successfully carved out a niche for herself.
In terms of business ventures, Patty has also invested in various projects, including art and media. She has taken part in documentary projects that explore her life, history, and the broader implications of her experiences.
According to Hearst's testimony at her 1976 trial, she was held for a week in a closet, blindfolded and with her hands tied. During this time, SLA founder Cinque (Donald DeFreeze) repeatedly threatened her with death. She was allowed to leave the closet for meals, still blindfolded, and began to participate in the group's political discussions.
She was given a flashlight for reading and SLA political tracts to memorize. Hearst was confined in the closet for weeks. She said, "DeFreeze told me that the war council had decided or was thinking about killing me or me staying with them, and that I better start thinking about that as a possibility. ...
I accommodated my thoughts to coincide with theirs." In an April 1974 account, Hearst claimed that she had been offered the choice of being released or joining the SLA.
Social Network
Patty Hearst maintains a low-profile presence on social media. While she doesn't have an official account on major platforms like Instagram or Twitter, she occasionally appears in interviews and documentaries that delve into her past. This approach allows her to manage her narrative while staying connected to her audience.
When asked for her decision, Hearst elected to remain and fight with the SLA. The blindfold was removed, allowing her to see her captors for the first time. After this, she was given daily lessons on her duties, especially weapon drills. Angela Atwood told Hearst that the others wanted Hearst to share in the sexual freedom within the unit.
Hearst later claimed to have been raped by William "Willie" Wolfe and DeFreeze.
Education
Patty Hearst attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she initially pursued a degree in art history. Her education was cut short due to her kidnapping, but she has often spoken about the impact her academically rich environment had on her later life decisions and artistic endeavors.
She was raised primarily in Hillsborough and attended the private Crystal Springs School for Girls there, Sacred Heart in Atherton, and the Santa Catalina School in Monterey. She attended Menlo College in Atherton, California before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley.
