On June 23, 1993, Lorena Bobbitt's name captured global headlines when she cut off the genitals of her husband, John Bobbitt, with a kitchen knife. Today, 32 years later, she is a powerful voice for victims of domestic violence and lives a very different life from the one that made her infamous in the '90s.
From victim of violence to women's rights activist
Lorena, born in Ecuador and raised in Venezuela, came to the U.S. as a student and married John Bobbitt in 1989. But after the marriage, according to her testimony, he became physically and sexually abusive, a behavior that she claims continued for years. The night of June 23, she says, was the height of the violence and fear; she says John raped her and then fell asleep, which prompted him to commit the act that became a sensational moment in U.S. media history.
After the incident, she threw his genitals in a field, but they were found and surgically reattached to John. John denied the rape and assault charges, but faced a trial for marital rape, from which he was found not guilty. Lorena was also tried for wounding with intent, but was found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity.
Lorena's life today
Today, Lorena Bobbitt, who now uses her maiden name, Gallo, lives in Manassas, Virginia, with her partner and daughter. She is the founder of the Lorena Gallo Foundation, which provides support and awareness for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
"I speak at universities and to girls' groups about the warning signs of an abusive relationship. I'm not a psychologist or a doctor, but I help others set boundaries and find the strength within themselves," she told TIME in 2018.
Lorena has also been part of film projects and documentaries that tell the story from her perspective, including the Amazon series "Lorena" produced by director Jordan Peele.
What about John Bobbitt?
After the trials, John attempted a career in the porn industry. He currently lives in Sarasota, Florida. In later years, he was arrested several times for assaulting other women and served time in prison. In 2023, he had his toes amputated due to a nerve disease related to contamination at Camp Lejeune military base, where he served as a Marine.
In a recent interview in 2024, he justified his former behavior with the toxic effects of chemicals that, according to him, had impaired his mental functioning.
Source: People
