Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford at 19 years old to start the company that would become Theranos, making big promises about testing blood with just a prick of your finger and attracting high-powered investors. Unfortunately, it was all a lie.
In January 2022, Holmes was convicted on multiple fraud counts. In November 2022, she was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her crimes. Although she and her legal team have made every effort to keep her from behind bars, those attempts ultimately failed, and she reported to prison on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. She is still actively working to appeal her conviction.
Holmes reported to the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. It goes by FPC Bryan for short. This is a minimum security facility located about 95 miles northwest of Houston.
She reported wearing a simple outfit of jeans, a beige sweater, and white sneakers. She had no makeup and wore her glasses. Her hair was wavy. This is a much different look for Holmes than when Theranos was in its heyday and she was gracing magazine covers and talk shows in her Steve Jobs-inspired black turtlenecks, straightened hair, and red lips.
More from LittleThings: Disgraced CEO Elizabeth Holmes Ordered To Report To Prison And Pay $452M In Restitution
Reporter Ben Peck of NBC Affiliate KAGS News posted a video of Holmes' arrival. She pulled up in a Ford Expedition. She was escorted into the prison by two officers. She was carrying a clear plastic bag and took the time to smile and wave at reporters.
Holmes is not the only famous inmate at the facility. Jen Shah of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City fame is also serving time there. Shah was also convicted of fraud and is serving six years. Texas real estate agent Jenna Ryan is serving time for her participation in the January 6 riots.
Holmes’ life is going to be very different behind bars. She will have to share a cell with at least three other women and sleep in a bunk bed. She was renting a 74-acre estate in Woodside, California, for $13,000 per month with her husband and two children.
Now her cell will open at 6 a.m. She is expected to be in place for roll call at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Her cell will lock again at 8 p.m. Her family is allowed to visit on weekends and holidays for at least four hours a month.
US District Judge Edward Davila chose FPC Bryan because Holmes has family in Houston. She grew up there. It is unknown at this time where her husband and children will reside. Children under 10 are allowed to sit on their mom's lap during prison visits. Her husband is allowed physical touch at the beginning and end of each visit.
Davila also ordered Holmes to pay back $452 million in restitution to her former investors. She is being held jointly liable for this large sum with her ex-boyfriend and former Theranos COO, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani. Balwani has already begun his 12-year, 11-month sentence.
