Mary Kay Letourneau was sentenced to seven years in prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy from her class.
Quick Facts About Mary Kay Letourneau
| Name | Mary Kay Letourneau |
| Birth Year | 1962 |
| Birth Date | January 30, 1962 |
| Birth State | California |
| Birth City | Orange County |
| Birth Country | United States |
| Gender | Female |
| Best Known For | Sentenced to seven years in prison for statutory rape |
| Industries | Crime and Terrorism |
| Astrological Sign | Aquarius |
| Schools | Arizona State University |
| Nationalities | American |
| Death Year | 2020 |
| Death Date | July 6, 2020 |
| Death State | Washington |
| Death City | Seattle |
| Death Country | United States |
| Occupation | Former Teacher |
| Marital Status | Divorced; married Vili Fualaau in 2005 |
| Children | Two daughters, Georgia and Audrey |
| Criminal Charges | Statutory rape and sexual misconduct |
| Incarceration | Served 7 years in prison; released in 2004 |
| Health Issues | Died from colon cancer |
| Public Perception | Known for the controversial nature of her relationship |
Who Was Mary Kay Letourneau?
Mary Kay Letourneau is an elementary school teacher. She became infamous in February 1997 for having a sexual affair with Vili Fualaau a 13-year-old student. She was sentenced to seven years in prison but only served 80 days before being released on parole.
However, she was quickly caught with Fualaau again leading to her serving the remainder of her sentence. After her release, Letourneau and Fualaau married in 2005 and had two children together.
Early Life of Mary Kay Letourneau and First Husband
Mary Kay Letourneau was born on January 30, 1962, in Orange County, California. Her full name was Mary Katherine Schmitz. She was the fourth child and the first daughter of John Schmitz a college professor, and his very religious wife Mary.
Mary wanted to work in politics and planned to move to Washington, D.C., after finishing college at Arizona State University. However, while still studying she met Steve Letourneau a classmate.
She became pregnant with their first child Steven Jr. They married in 1985 dropped out of college and moved to Steve’s hometown in Anchorage Alaska.
A year later, they relocated to Seattle Washington where they welcomed three more children: Mary Claire, Nicholas, and Jacqueline.
Mary Kay Involvement with Vili Fualaau
In 1989, Mary Kay Letourneau started working at Shorewood Elementary School. She became a well-respected teacher there. Letourneau took sixth-grade student Vili Fualaau under her wing and supported his artistic talents. He often visited her home, and she encouraged him to be friends with her oldest child, Steve, who was only a year younger than Vili.
In June 1996, Letourneau began a sexual relationship with the 13-year-old student, a relationship that Fualaau later said he was willing to have. The affair ended in February 1997 when Steve Letourneau found love letters from his wife to Fualaau.
Later that month, a relative of Steve reported the affair to the school. The police were called, and Letourneau, who was pregnant with Fualaau’s child at the time, was arrested and charged with statutory rape.
Incarceration
Birth of Audrey
In May 1997, Mary Kay Letourneau welcomed a baby girl named Audrey. This event took place just a few months before her legal troubles escalated.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
In August 1997, Letourneau pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree rape. Despite a psychiatrist stating she had bipolar disorder, she received a seven-year prison sentence.
Early Release and Conditions
Letourneau was released after serving only 80 days in prison. Her release came with strict conditions: she had to enter a treatment program for sex offenders and promised not to contact Vili Fualaau.
Parole Violation
In February 1998, Letourneau violated her parole by being caught with Fualaau in a parked car. The police discovered $6,200 in cash, passports, and clothing receipts, suggesting they planned to flee.
Return to Prison
Due to this violation, Letourneau was sent back to serve her full sentence at the Washington Correction Center for Women.
Birth of Second Daughter
In October 1998, while still incarcerated, Letourneau gave birth to her second daughter also fathered by Fualaau. This child was believed to have been conceived during her short time on parole.
Custody Arrangement
Both daughters were placed in the custody of Fualaau’s mother, Soona, while Letourneau was in prison. During this time, Letourneau and her husband divorced. They left all four children from their marriage in their father’s custody who then moved with them to Alaska.
Marriage to Fualaau
Their relationship began when Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher, was convicted for an affair with her 12-year-old student, Vili Fualaau. After serving prison time, Mary Kay was prohibited from contacting Vili until he turned 18. They resumed their relationship after her release.
They married in May 2005, once Vili reached legal adulthood, which drew significant media attention due to their past. The couple had two daughters together, which added complexity to their public narrative and family dynamics.
Their marriage faced struggles, ultimately leading to their separation in 2017. Mary Kay passed away in 2020, concluding their unique story.
Mary Kay Pop Culture
Media Sensation
Mary Kay became famous in the late 1990s due to her controversial relationship with her student, Vili Fualaau. Their story was widely covered by news outlets.
Reality TV
Their life together inspired reality TV shows, including a series that focused on their relationship and family life, bringing them further into the public eye.
Cultural Discussions
Mary Kay’s case sparked conversations about teacher-student relationships, consent, and the legal system, leading to debates in society and media.
Books and Documentaries
Several books and documentaries have been made about Mary Kay’s life, exploring her story and the challenges she faced, making her a subject of interest.
Legacy
Mary Kay’s story remains a topic of fascination in pop culture, serving as a cautionary tale and a discussion point on the complexities of relationships and consequences.
Legal Separation
In May 2017, Vili Fualaau separated from Mary Kay Letourneau. He said in an interview that the decision was about money because he wanted to start a marijuana business.
He explained, “It’s not what you think. To get a license, they check both people’s backgrounds. If I want to be involved, I need to be approved, and so does my spouse. She has a past.”
However, in August 2017, Vili’s lawyer said he never spoke to Radar Online and confirmed he was still going through with the separation, even though Mary Kay wanted to get back together. This was mentioned in court documents.
Death of Mary Kay Letourneau
On July 7, 2020, Mary Kay Letourneau’s lawyer David Gehrke announced that she had died from cancer the day before at her home near Seattle. Vili Fualaau was with her during this time.
Gehrke shared, “Vili moved back from California and gave up his life there. For the last two months of Mary’s life, he was there for her 24/7, taking care of her.” He added, “They were divorced and had their arguments, but they always loved each other.”
FAQs
Who is Mary Kay Letourneau’s ex-husband?
Her ex-husband is Steve Letourneau, with whom she had four children.
What was the relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau?
They had a controversial student-teacher relationship that led to legal issues.
When did the Mary Kay Letourneau funeral take place?
Her funeral took place on July 19, 2020, in Seattle, Washington.
How did Mary Kay Letourneau’s youth shape her life and career?
Her early experiences influenced her choices and ultimately led to her controversial actions.
At what age did Mary Kay Letourneau first meet Vili Fualaau?
She met Vili when he was 12 years old and she was 34, as his sixth-grade teacher.
What led to the cause of Mary Kay Letourneau’s death?
She died from complications related to colon cancer on July 6, 2020.