Patty Hearst, the granddaughter of famed publisher William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped more than 40 years ago on February 4, 1974. With her family also including parents Randolph A. Hearst -- who at the time was the chairman of media empire Hearst Corp. -- and Catherine Hearst, a University of California regent, Patty Hearst grew up as a member of the California Bay Area's elite. And then, after that fateful February 4, she became one of the most famous women in America. <em>Correction: This gallery originally included an image that misidentified Patty Hearst.</em>
Patty Hearst, the granddaughter of famed publisher William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped more than 40 years ago on February 4, 1974. With her family also including parents Randolph A. Hearst -- who at the time was the chairman of media empire Hearst Corp. -- and Catherine Hearst, a University of California regent, Patty Hearst grew up as a member of the California Bay Area's elite. And then, after that fateful February 4, she became one of the most famous women in America. Correction: This gallery originally included an image that misidentified Patty Hearst.
Jeff Robbins/ASSOCIATED PRESS
On that night in February, Hearst was abducted at gunpoint from the apartment she shared in Berkeley, California, with her fiance, Steven Weed, seen here with Hearst. The crime was committed by a radical group called the Symbionese Liberation Army, or SLA.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
On that night in February, Hearst was abducted at gunpoint from the apartment she shared in Berkeley, California, with her fiance, Steven Weed, seen here with Hearst. The crime was committed by a radical group called the Symbionese Liberation Army, or SLA.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Police said they believed Hearst was blindfolded and thrown into the trunk of this car, which was photographed at the Berkeley Police Department on February 5, 1974.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Police said they believed Hearst was blindfolded and thrown into the trunk of this car, which was photographed at the Berkeley Police Department on February 5, 1974.
Anthony Camerano/AP
In an autobiography, Hearst details her abuse at the hands of the SLA. In the book, she says she was kept locked in a closet for 57 days, as well as subjected to radical rantings, physical abuse and rape. Eventually she was offered the choice of joining the SLA or being killed. On April 3, just two months after her kidnapping, the SLA released a tape announcing Hearst's alignment with the organization -- including taking the name Tania. A photo of her holding a gun in front of the SLA's seven-headed cobra emblem was also released.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
In an autobiography, Hearst details her abuse at the hands of the SLA. In the book, she says she was kept locked in a closet for 57 days, as well as subjected to radical rantings, physical abuse and rape. Eventually she was offered the choice of joining the SLA or being killed. On April 3, just two months after her kidnapping, the SLA released a tape announcing Hearst's alignment with the organization -- including taking the name Tania. A photo of her holding a gun in front of the SLA's seven-headed cobra emblem was also released.
Bettmann/CORBIS
On April 15, 1974, the SLA robbed a Hibernia Bank branch in San Francisco. Security cameras captured this image of Hearst in the robbery.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
On April 15, 1974, the SLA robbed a Hibernia Bank branch in San Francisco. Security cameras captured this image of Hearst in the robbery.
AP
Four days after the robbery, the FBI released this wanted poster, featuring Hearst, far right, as a material witness, among other SLA members suspected of taking part in the heist. SLA leader Donald DeFreeze is at top left.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Four days after the robbery, the FBI released this wanted poster, featuring Hearst, far right, as a material witness, among other SLA members suspected of taking part in the heist. SLA leader Donald DeFreeze is at top left.
Interim Archives/Getty Images
During their months-long search for Hearst, police came across a Symbionese Liberation Army hideout at 1827 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
During their months-long search for Hearst, police came across a Symbionese Liberation Army hideout at 1827 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.
Mickey Pfleger/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Hearst was arrested in San Francisco on September 18, 1975, 19 months after the kidnapping.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Hearst was arrested in San Francisco on September 18, 1975, 19 months after the kidnapping.
san mateo sheriff
At her trial for bank robbery, Hearst said she had been brainwashed by the group and feared for her life, but a jury found her guilty. She was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
At her trial for bank robbery, Hearst said she had been brainwashed by the group and feared for her life, but a jury found her guilty. She was sentenced to seven years in prison.
ap
Hearst was released on bail on November 19, 1976, while her attorneys appealed her case. Here, she is reunited with her parents, Catherine and Randolph Hearst, in their San Francisco home on November 20, 1976. The appeal was denied and Hearst returned to prison.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Hearst was released on bail on November 19, 1976, while her attorneys appealed her case. Here, she is reunited with her parents, Catherine and Randolph Hearst, in their San Francisco home on November 20, 1976. The appeal was denied and Hearst returned to prison.
Bob McLeod/San Francisco Examiner/AP
After Hearst served nearly two years in prison, President Jimmy Carter commuted her sentence in early 1979. Here, she mugs for the camera at the Federal Correctional Institute at Pleasanton, California, on January 31, 1979.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
After Hearst served nearly two years in prison, President Jimmy Carter commuted her sentence in early 1979. Here, she mugs for the camera at the Federal Correctional Institute at Pleasanton, California, on January 31, 1979.
ap
Hearst holds up the executive grant of clemency as she leaves prison on February 1, 1979. With her is her fiance and former bodyguard, Bernard Shaw.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Hearst holds up the executive grant of clemency as she leaves prison on February 1, 1979. With her is her fiance and former bodyguard, Bernard Shaw.
ap
Hearst is walked down the aisle by her father, Randolph Hearst, at the Navy chapel at her wedding to Bernard Shaw in April 1979.
Patty Hearst's kidnapping —
Hearst is walked down the aisle by her father, Randolph Hearst, at the Navy chapel at her wedding to Bernard Shaw in April 1979.
Tony Korody//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images