Mary Kay LetourneauHer infamous relationship with her student Fruit grinder It made headlines in the 1990s — and the scandal continued to grip the nation.
Letourneau's personal life became a major topic of discussion in 1996 when news emerged about her relationship with Fualaau, who was a sixth-grader at the time. The former teacher pleaded guilty in 1997 to two counts of felony second-degree rape of a child and spent three months in prison. But Letourneau He continued to keep in contact with Fualaau despite his order not to do so By the court, which resulted in him being sentenced to six years in prison.
After welcoming two children with Fualaau, The controversial duo married after Letourneau's release From prison. They were together for more than a decade before announcing their split in 2019.
The troubling relationship between Letourneau and Fulaau gained national attention as they tried to stay out of the public eye. Since then their life story has served as an inspiration for netflix movie, May December, Which follows a fictional love story between a woman and an underage boy and the personal repercussions they face surrounding the truth about their situation years later.
Scroll down to revisit the scandal and for updates on Letourneau and Fulaau:
How did the scandal unfold?
Mary Kay Letourneau and Fili Fualaau pose during a photo shoot at her beachfront home on April 27, 2006 in Normandy Park, Washington.
Ron Wurzer/Getty ImagesLetourneau met Fualaau when she was his second-grade teacher at an elementary school in Burien, Washington. Mary Kay was married to Steve Letourneau — with whom she shared four children — when she was later caught spending time with Fualaau, then 12, outside of school. She was arrested in March 1997 and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree rape of a child. Mary Kay gave birth to her first child with Fualaau, daughter Audrey, later that year.
Mary Kay was sentenced to six months in prison and three years' sex offender treatment in the rape case. She was released after completing half time and ordered to have no contact with Fualaau. However, Mary Kay was found in a car with Fualaau two weeks after completing her prison sentence and her original seven-and-a-half year prison sentence was reinstated.
While serving her second term behind bars, Mary Kay welcomed her second daughter into the world in Fualaau, Georgia, in October 1998.
What happened after Mary Kay was sentenced to prison?
After the scandal, Fualaau dropped out of high school and his mother gained custody of his two children from Mary Kay. Fualaau petitioned the court to drop the no-contact order against Mary Kay once he was over 18 and they officially continued the relationship. (Meanwhile, Mary Kay had to register as a Level 2 sex offender.)
Fruit and Mary Kay He co-authored the 1998 book Just one crime, loveWhich covered their individual accounts of their relationship.
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Did Mary Kay and Philly remain in a relationship?
The couple tied the knot in May 2005 and raised their two daughters while remaining largely out of the public eye. Fualaau filed for separation in May 2017 after 12 years of marriage But he then withdrew the submission.
In 2019, Fualaau and Mary Kay finalized their legal separation.
What did Mary Kay say about the controversial relationship?
Mary Kay Letourneau.
Zuma Press/MegaDuring a joint interview with Barbara Walters in 2015, Mary Kay spoke about whether she felt “guilty” or “disgusted” for Fualaau's abuse. “I liked it so much, I kind of thought: Why not just have it be a kiss at all?'” she said. “The incident happened late at night, and it didn’t stop with a kiss. I thought that would happen, but it didn’t.”
For his part, Fualaau pointed out what he said Mental health is taking a turn for the worse In the middle of the scandal. “I'm amazed I'm still alive today. I had a really dark time,” he noted of not having a support system when Mary Kay gave birth to her children while in prison.
What happened to Mary Kay?
In 2020, Mary Kay He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer He died later that year at the age of 58.
“Mary fought tirelessly against this terrible disease,” her family said in a statement. “Mary, and all of us, have found great strength in bringing our immediate and extended family members together to join her in this arduous struggle. We did our best to care for Mary and each other as we kept her close and we stayed close to each other.
What happened to Philly?
Fualaau reflected on Mary Kay's inappropriate behavior toward him during a 2020 appearance The Dr. Oz Show. “I couldn't look at a 13-year-old and be attracted to him because he's not on my mind. There's nothing that I'm attracted to. I mean we all have our preferences, and that's not something I would go for,” he said after being asked what he would do if he was attracted to a minor. Maybe I'll go and get some help.”
In March 2022, Fualaau and Mary Kay's daughter Georgia confirmed that her father had welcomed a third child.
“Hi Sofia, I'm your big sister! You're so beautiful, I can't wait to watch you grow. I'll be here for you no matter what! I love you 💕,” she wrote on Instagram, accompanying a photo with the newborn. Details regarding the child's mother have remained private Since the news spread.
Meanwhile, Fualaau and Mary Kay's eldest, Audrey, announced in August 2023 that Georgia She was expecting her first child. Georgia confirmed that she is pregnant with a boy the people After one month. She detailed her six-year relationship with the child's father, but chose to keep him out of the spotlight. Meanwhile, Audrey shared the news in December 2024 that she is expecting her first child with fiancé Ethan Tyla Porter.
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Why has the scandal made headlines again?
The Letourneau rape case – and subsequent relationship with Fualaau – was the inspiration behind it Todd Haynes' The film received critical acclaim May December. Movie stars Natalie Portman As an actress named Elizabeth travels to meet and study Gracie's life (Julianne Moore), which she is scheduled to play in the project. Gracie's infamous romance with Joe (Charles Milton) who is 23 years her junior, is the subject of the fictional film.
“I found myself really honoring the excellence of (the screenwriter) Sammy (Porsche)Text from some famous examples of these popular stories such as Mary Kay Letourneau. “I was really looking for some kind of cinematic coherence because the nature of the script is that you're left in a state of uncertainty about what to think about these people,” Haynes said. Hollywood Reporter In May 2023. “The reliability you initially attribute to Elizabeth, the character played by Natalie Portman, begins to waver as the film unfolds. You are in a constant state of re-evaluation.”
“So, I was more interested in how to tell this story and make all the ways to read the movie interesting and allow the audience to feel like it's going to be a fun movie to navigate,” he continued.
How does Philly think his life served as the inspiration for May December?
After largely staying out of the limelight, Fualaau has resurfaced Share his thoughts on May December.
“I am still alive and well. If they had contacted me, we could have worked together on a masterpiece. Instead, they chose to copy my original story.” Hollywood Reporter in January 2024. “I feel insulted by the entire project and by the lack of respect given to me – who lived a true story and is still living it.”
Fualaau said he was not happy to hear the similarities between his relationship with Letourneau and the fictional marriage between Moore and Milton's characters.
“I love movies – good movies. I admire ones that capture the essence and complexities of real-life events. You know, movies that allow you to see or perceive something new every time you watch them.” Those kind of writers and directors – someone who can do that – would be perfect To work with them, because my story is not as simple as this movie (which depicts it).”
