How Teacher Mary Kay Letourneau Married Her Student Vili Fualaau

Today, Vili Fualaau, age 42 and a father of three, seems to live a normal, everyday life.

Georgia Fualaau, now 27, is expecting her first child, about two years after her father welcomed his third grandchild, Sophia, in 2022. Georgia shared with People magazine that her father is already preparing for the baby, giving her hand-me-downs from her younger sister. She believes he will be a wonderful grandfather when her son is born in January 2024.

I was so thrilled to hear that Audrey Fualaau became a mom again! She and her fiancé, Ethan Tela Porter, welcomed their son, Elias Ulumailuma D. Porter, last May, and it just warmed my heart. It’s wonderful to see her embracing motherhood once more.

Georgia speculated about how her mother, Mary Kay Letourneau, who passed away in July 2020 at 58 after a private battle with cancer, might react to becoming a grandmother. She thought her mother would initially be surprised, saying, “I am her baby,” but quickly become very excited about the prospect.

Because Letourneau understood better than most just how complicated a new arrival can be.

Their relationship actually began with a crime. She first met Fulaau when he was a second-grader in her class, and she was already a mother of four and married at the time.

In 1996, a middle school teacher began sexually abusing a 12-year-old student named Fualaau. She was arrested for child rape on March 4, 1997, after becoming pregnant with his child.

Audrey Lokelani Fualaau was born while her mother was on trial for child rape. Their second daughter, Georgia Fualaau, was born while the mother was serving a prison sentence.

In 2004, during an interview on CNN’s Larry King Live, Letourneau explained that she suspected her actions might be problematic because they weren’t typical. However, she didn’t realize they were actually illegal. She just knew they felt outside of what was considered normal behavior.

In 1996, Mary Kay Letourneau was a popular and highly regarded teacher at Shorewood Elementary School in Burien, Washington. She and her husband, Steve Letourneau, married in 1985 while attending Arizona State University after becoming pregnant. Together, they had four children.

Letourneau’s father, John Schmitz, was a Republican politician who represented Orange County as a state senator and congressman. In 1982, it came to light that he had fathered two children out of wedlock with a former student he taught at Santa Ana College. The affair began in 1973. Schmitz remained married to Letourneau’s mother, Mary, for 47 years until his death in 2001.

Letourneau had known Fualaau since he was a child – she was his second-grade teacher. He came from a complicated family; his parents were divorced and he lived with his mother, Soona. His father was in prison for armed robbery and had been married five times, and Fualaau came from a large family with seventeen siblings. Letourneau was familiar with Fualaau’s mother and other relatives as well.

Fualaau was only thirteen years old, just finishing sixth grade, and had been in Letourneau’s class again when they began a sexual relationship. That summer, they both attended an art class at a local community college, where she supported his interests in drawing and writing poetry.

Letourneau stated that she and her husband were separated when the relationship began, and she would have fought her feelings if she’d known it was a crime. She described the connection as developing slowly, growing into something both wonderful and frightening. She also shared that she had experienced a miscarriage and subsequent depression in 1996, and wasn’t seeking a romantic relationship at the time.

She later shared with Larry King that she and Fualaau had a great sense of humor and saw the world in a similar way.

Okay, so it all started when he made this bet with his cousin – a bet about her, can you believe it? He was completely fixated. He actually planned everything, like, every single day he’d obsess over what he was going to do, what he’d say, even what little surprises he could leave for her at school. He told Dateline all about it. And the thing is, he hated being called a victim, said it just wasn’t right.

You know, when I was on Australia’s Sunday Night back in 2018, I shared how things really changed with Mary. We got so close, honestly, that the whole bet we’d made just slipped my mind. It’s funny how life works, isn’t it? Sometimes the unexpected connections are the ones that truly matter.

One evening, police found them sitting in Letourneau’s van close to the marina. However, a call to Fualaau’s mother showed that the child was with someone she knew and trusted, so everything was alright.

My son’s mother told the Seattle Times that he’d said there was absolutely nothing going on between him and whoever we were talking about. Because it was her, I just naturally believed her. I trusted her with my son’s heart, and I thought she’d be honest with me.

In February 1997, Letourneau’s husband found hidden love letters and discovered her abuse. At the time, she was six months pregnant, a fact he was unaware of.

Letourneau was reported to the police by her husband’s relative and charged with sexually assaulting a child. Her defense – that the child had pursued her, she didn’t realize her actions were criminal, and they were in love – failed to convince the court or the public.

Looking back, there was just this incredible connection with him – a real understanding that deepened over the years. It felt like family, like the bond you have with a sibling, someone who’s always going to be in your life. Honestly, I didn’t understand it at the time. It definitely wasn’t about attraction, not at first. I actually thought, at one point, that he might end up marrying my daughter. It was such a strange, unexpected thing.

Gregg Olsen, who wrote the 1999 book If Loving You Is Wrong about this case, says the affair was fairly well-known. He told CBS News that people saw them together, including a janitor who witnessed them in a bathroom stall and other teachers who saw them kissing. In a court statement, Fualaau admitted they once snuck onto Letourneau’s roof to have sex.

She admitted guilt to two counts of second-degree child rape. Addressing the judge, she said she had done something both morally and legally wrong, expressed her remorse, and promised it would never happen again. She pleaded for help, for everyone involved.

The judge gave her an 89-month prison sentence that was suspended, but she still had to serve six months in jail – with credit given for time she’d already spent in custody. She was released on January 2, 1998, and as a condition of her release, she was required to attend counseling and avoid any contact with Fualaau, who was helping to care for Audrey with his family.

Just a few weeks later, police found the 36-year-old woman and the 14-year-old boy in a car parked near her home. Inside, officers discovered a large amount of belongings, including men’s and baby clothes, photos, groceries, personal papers, and a locked box containing $6,200. They also found Letourneau’s passport by the gas pedal. She had also bought a pager so Fualaau could contact her.

Fualaau’s therapist notified Child Protective Services because Fualaau and their partner had started being sexually intimate again.

Honestly, when I heard they’d put her back in custody, I was terrified for her. They immediately put her on suicide watch, which just broke my heart. Her lawyer tried to explain it all made sense – she’s always struggled with bipolar disorder, and apparently, she’d stopped taking her meds after her first release. It explained so much, you know? Like, all those choices she made… they weren’t just malicious, they were the result of her being unwell and taking these… really awful risks.

Her lawyer, David Gehrke, stated on MS Now (formerly MSNBC) that they had anticipated this outcome. He explained that regardless of the nature of the relationship – whether genuine love, unhealthy obsession, or something else – it’s unrealistic to expect someone to be ‘cured’ after only a week of treatment. Gehrke also clarified that Fualaau was the one who initially reached out.

Letourneau began serving her prison sentence. The following March, it became known that she was pregnant with her second child with Fualaau.

Steve divorced Letourneau and relocated with their four children to Alaska. After she was imprisoned again, he told People magazine in March 1998 that he was at a loss for words, comparing the situation to shattering a family portrait. He also said the children were coping surprisingly well, despite understandably being angry.

Georgia, the daughter of Her and Fualaau, was born later that year while Her was at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington. Eventually, Georgia joined her sister Audrey and they both were raised by Fualaau’s mother.

During the seven and a half years Letourneau spent in prison, she wasn’t permitted any visits or direct communication with Fualaau, although they found ways to exchange messages. A particularly difficult hardship was being unable to attend her father’s funeral in 2001.

Letourneau got out of prison in August 2004.

On the eve of her release, Fualaau told Seattle’s KING 5 News she was unsure how she was feeling, but admitted to being ‘a little nervous.’ She did say, however, that she loves her.

While Fualaau was in prison, he stopped attending high school, but in 2004 he mentioned he was studying for his GED. He told People magazine he was trying to distract himself from everything that had happened. “I was just partying and drinking too much, and dealing with a lot of hangovers,” he said. His mother had previously attempted to sue the school district, claiming they were negligent.

Just two months after getting out of prison, Letourneau revealed in her first interview that she and Vili Fualaau were engaged. They had to get a judge’s permission to lift a restraining order before they could announce it.

Looking back on when the story became national news, Letourneau explained that she and Fualaau never thought about not having the baby after she first became pregnant. She supported his education and intended to take time off work after giving birth while also starting a new job.

When people ask if the kids understand what happened, I always explain it like this: their mom was in prison, but now she and their dad are finally reunited. That’s what I tell everyone. I’ve even told my oldest child that Mommy is just having a really long ‘time-out,’ and they seem to accept that.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen how important family connections are, even under difficult circumstances. My friend, Gehrke, had four older children living in Alaska, and they made the effort to visit her four times a year. Her wife, Susan, was incredibly dedicated, driving Audrey and Georgia to visit Gehrke in prison twice every month. It just shows you how much love and support can make a difference, no matter the distance or the situation.

As a mom, I really try to tune into what each of my kids is able to handle emotionally and understand at their age. I’m making sure I’m there for them, even though they’re currently in Alaska – we stay connected constantly. Right now, though, I feel it’s best to hold off on having a conversation about this with my 10 and 12-year-olds, and I’ll be handling that discussion with their dad when the time is right.

Letourneau disagreed with King’s description of her life as “tumultuous,” preferring to call it “blessed.”

I’m doing well, and thankfully, my children are healthy too. I still have my mother, and I’m very grateful to come from a supportive and loving family. Plus, I have Vili with me. Even though I wasn’t allowed to leave Washington state at the time, I was able to return to teaching, just not in public schools.

She married Fualaau on May 20, 2005, at a winery in Woodinville, Washington. They registered for gifts at Williams Sonoma, Macy’s, and Tiffany & Co. Their daughters participated in the wedding as flower girls.

The lawyer mentioned on MS Now’s The Abrams Report that they have a cozy beach house with plenty to see. He explained that his daughters enjoy watching the ships and eagles from there.

The couple stayed in the Seattle area to raise their children. In 2009, when Fualaau wanted to pursue a career as a DJ, Letourneau organized a special event called “Hot for Teacher” at the bar where he was performing.

Just before their tenth wedding anniversary in April 2015, she and Fualaau gave an interview to Barbara Walters for ABC News.

Letourneau remembered their first time together didn’t end with just a kiss, and she’d initially expected it would. “I thought that was all it would be, but it wasn’t,” she said.

Fualaau explained that becoming a parent was a massive life change, and she felt she lacked the necessary support. She didn’t receive help from her family or anyone else, and her friends, being young themselves—around 14 or 15—couldn’t understand what she was going through.

As a lifestyle expert, I often see how cutting off communication with a co-parent can be incredibly challenging. In my experience, being told you can’t speak to the mother of your children is really tough. It’s not about defying the rules, it’s about wanting to maintain some kind of connection, and feeling unheard when you’re simply told ‘no’ without any room for discussion or alternative solutions. I’ve heard clients express that desire to simply be heard and have their feelings acknowledged, even when boundaries are necessary.

The saga appeared to be coming to an end when Fualaau filed for a legal separation in May 2017.

He later explained to Radar Online that things weren’t as they seemed. He was actually trying to launch a new business and needed to avoid any complications with a background check.

Fualaau explained that when applying for a license, both applicants undergo background checks. If he and his spouse were to apply, they would both need to be licensed and thoroughly investigated, and he noted that his spouse has a past and a personal history that would be examined.

Not long after, they were seen together. On a 2018 episode of the A&E show Autobiography, they both appeared but Letourneau declined to discuss their relationship.

When asked on Australia’s Sunday Night in September 2018 what advice he’d give his younger self, Fualaau jokingly replied, “Don’t do it!” He quickly added, though, that he wouldn’t trade his two daughters or the life he’s lived.

Audrey, 28, explained her reaction to her parents’ relationship: “I get it—it was unexpected for others, but for us, it’s just how things always were.” She added that because she and her sister grew up with this dynamic, it didn’t feel particularly new or strange, and hadn’t been a recent topic of conversation.

Audrey and her sister Georgia both thought their mom was pretty strict, sharing a story about how their mom once removed the padding from one of Audrey’s bras. Audrey also described how her dad is now acting like a friend, now that she’s an adult and able to go out. She feels he’s embracing a more relaxed, ‘friend dad’ role.

Despite divorcing in 2019 and Fualaau relocating to California, her ex-husband was devoted to her when she became ill. According to attorney Gehrke, he spent the final two months of her life constantly by her side, providing full-time care. While they were legally separated and had disagreements, their love for each other remained strong, as he told Today.

And decades after the whole thing began, Letourneau hadn’t changed her story.

Honestly, looking back, I just… didn’t process it at the time. As I told them on Sunday Night, I wasn’t thinking about what was happening, not really. It just… wasn’t on my mind. I truly didn’t.

Letourneau maintained her innocence, stating, “I made the best choice I could at the time, and I attempted to withdraw my guilty plea as soon as I understood I had been manipulated and forced into it.”

This wasn’t the only crime story making headlines. Continue reading for more true crime accounts.

In December 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was tragically murdered in her Colorado home. While her family, including her parents and brother, have been investigated as potential suspects, the case remains unsolved and her killer has never been identified.

O.J. Simpson, who passed away in April 2024 after fighting cancer, was found responsible for the 1994 murders in a civil court. However, he was found not guilty in the criminal trial. Legally, this means he was never convicted, leaving the question of who committed the murders unanswered.

Some people believe Tupac is still alive, but the rapper known for songs like “Changes” was actually killed in 1996. The case remains unsolved.

Roughly a year and a half after Tupac’s death, Biggie Smalls was killed in a drive-by shooting. The person responsible for his murder has never been identified.

Casey Anthony, the mother of Caylee, was famously tried for her daughter’s murder but was found not guilty. Because of the verdict, the question of who killed Caylee remains unanswered.

Elizabeth Short, who was killed in 1947, quickly became famous due to the mystery surrounding her murder. Though she was later nicknamed “The Black Dahlia,” her killer has never been found.

In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered with an axe, but their daughter, Lizzie Borden, was put on trial and found not guilty. The case remains unsolved to this day.

In 1888, a serial killer began terrorizing London. Over a century later, the mystery of Jack the Ripper’s identity still hasn’t been solved.

In 1982, Chicago experienced a series of tragic deaths caused by poisoned Tylenol capsules. Someone deliberately added potassium cyanide to the over-the-counter pain reliever, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including children. Several other deaths followed in copycat incidents, but the perpetrator has never been identified.

I’ve been completely consumed by the Zodiac Killer for years. It’s just… haunting. This guy was terrorizing Northern California back in the late 60s and early 70s, and nobody knows who he was. What really chills me is how he named himself – the Zodiac. He started sending these crazy letters to the newspapers around the Bay Area, just… taunting everyone. And he sent these coded messages, four of them! It’s like he wanted to play a game. People have worked on them forever, and unbelievably, only one of those ciphers has ever been truly cracked. It’s just… incredible and terrifying all at once.

2026-03-04 20:19

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