Elizabeth Holmes, the once-celebrated founder of Theranos, has broken her silence in her first interview since being incarcerated at a federal prison in Texas. Holmes, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy, opened up about her life behind bars, her reflections on the past, and her hopes for the future. The 41-year-old mother of two, who began her sentence in May 2023, described the harsh reality of her new life, including the emotional toll of being separated from her family and the challenges of navigating a system that has forced her to confront her mistakes and seek redemption.
Holmes is currently being held at the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan in Bryan, Texas, a facility located about 100 miles outside of Houston. Despite the stark surroundings, she has found solace in the few hours of visitation she is allowed twice a week with her partner, Billy Evans, and their two young children, William and Invicta. However, the brief moments of connection are bittersweet, as Holmes described the pain of watching her loved ones leave through the secured glass door that separates her from freedom. She admitted that seeing them walk away “shatters my world every single time,” a stark contrast to the life she once knew as a high-profile entrepreneur.
In the interview, Holmes reflected on the rise and fall of Theranos, the blood-testing startup she founded, which was once valued in the billions. She acknowledged that the company’s failure was real but maintained her innocence, insisting that failure is not the same as fraud. “I’m not the same person I was back then,” she said, admit-ting there are things she would have done differently. Holmes also shared her thoughts on the Hulu series The Dropout, which chronicles the story of Theranos. She found the show “difficult” to watch, describing it as “surreal” and expressing frustration that people who have never met her have strong opinions about her. “It forces you to spend a lot of time questioning belief and hoping the truth will prevail,” she said, adding that she is “walking by faith” and holding onto the hope that the truth will eventually come to light.
Holmes also spoke about the personal challenges she has faced, including becoming a mother while navigating the legal system. She gave birth to her first child just weeks before her trial and had her second child only three months before beginning her prison sentence. Despite the difficulties, she expressed her deep love for her children and her determination to be a mother, saying she always wanted to have a family. However, she admitted that she never imagined she would be separated from her children, a reality she described as “hell and torture.” Her experiences as a mother in prison have also driven her to advocate for better conditions for incarcerated women, particularly those who are breastfeeding. Holmes revealed that she worked with the prison warden to establish lactation rooms, which were created in 2023 to provide private spaces for mothers.
Behind bars, Holmes has found ways to stay purposeful. She works as a reentry clerk, helping women who are set to be released prepare for their return to society. She also teaches French classes and maintains a mostly vegan diet, though she began eating fish after developing anemia during her first year in prison. These activities, while small, have given her a sense of meaning and connection to the world outside the prison walls. Holmes is scheduled to be released on April 3, 2032, and she expressed her determination to continue her work in healthcare technology. “There is not a day I have not continued to work on my research and inventions,” she said, emphasizing her ongoing commitment to making affordable healthcare solutions available to everyone.
Holmes’ interview serves as a reminder of the complexities of her story and the human cost of her downfall. While she remains a polarizing figure, her words offer a glimpse into the life of a woman who has lost everything but refuses to give up on her dreams. As she navigates the challenges of prison life, Holmes is holding onto hope—hope for her future, hope for her family, and hope that one day, the truth, as she sees it, will prevail. Her story, while fraught with controversy, is ultimately a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of immense failure and adversity.
