Elisabeth Fritzl

About

Austrian woman who was kidnapped and held captive by her father for 24 years. Her freedom finally came after being released to visit her daughter in the hospital. She was questioned by the police, who were waiting for her. This led to her captor's arrest in the year 2008.

Before Fame

She was kidnapped at 18 years old when she was lured to the basement of her home. She was studying to be a waitress. 

Trivia

Her story inspired the novel (and its film adaptation) Room. Documentaries that have been released about her case include The Longest Night: Secrets of the Austrian Cellar and Monster: The Josef Fritzl Story. 

Family Life

Her parents are Josef and Rosemarie Fritzl. She has three brothers and three sisters. She gave birth to seven children while captive. One passed away, while the three that were taken to be raised by her parents as their own were Lisa, Monika, and Alexander. The three children who were held captive with her were Kerstin, Stefan, and Felix.

Associated With

Her story was the basis of the Lifetime movie Girl in the Basement, which starred actress Stefanie Scott.