**The harrowing true story of Betty and Mahtob Mahmoody, immortalized in the book and film "Not Without My Daughter," has captivated audiences worldwide, shedding light on the terrifying reality of parental child abduction and forced captivity in a foreign land. Many who encounter this powerful narrative are left wondering about the precise duration of their ordeal: how long were Betty and Mahtob in Iran, held against their will by a husband and father who transformed from loving spouse to tyrannical captor? Their story is not just one of survival, but a testament to an unbreakable bond and an unwavering will to reclaim freedom.** This article delves deep into the timeline of Betty and Mahtob's captivity, drawing from their own accounts to piece together the exact duration of their harrowing experience. We will explore the circumstances that led them to Iran, the shocking moment their lives took a drastic turn, the daily struggles they faced, and the incredible, perilous escape that finally brought them home. Understanding the timeline helps to grasp the immense psychological and physical toll such an ordeal takes, and highlights the resilience required to overcome it. *** ## Table of Contents * [The Deceptive Journey Begins: Arrival in Tehran](#the-deceptive-journey-begins-arrival-in-tehran) * [The Initial Weeks: A Glimpse of Two Worlds](#the-initial-weeks-a-glimpse-of-two-worlds) * [The Shocking Revelation: Captivity Declared](#the-shocking-revelation-captivity-declared) * [A Virtual Prisoner: Betty's Nightmare Unfolds](#a-virtual-prisoner-bettys-nightmare-unfolds) * [The True Duration: How Long Were Betty and Mahtob in Iran?](#the-true-duration-how-long-were-betty-and-mahtob-in-iran) * [The Ordeal of Captivity: Life Under Duress](#the-ordeal-of-captivity-life-under-duress) * [Psychological Manipulation and Physical Abuse](#psychological-manipulation-and-physical-abuse) * [The Desperate Escape: Planning and Execution](#the-desperate-escape-planning-and-execution) * [The Perilous Journey to Freedom](#the-perilous-journey-to-freedom) * [Betty Mahmoody: A Profile in Courage](#betty-mahmoody-a-profile-in-courage) * [Mahtob Mahmoody: A Survivor's Perspective](#mahtob-mahmoody-a-survivors-perspective) * [The Legacy of "Not Without My Daughter"](#the-legacy-of-not-without-my-daughter) * [A Continuing Mission: Helping Others](#a-continuing-mission-helping-others) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) *** ## The Deceptive Journey Begins: Arrival in Tehran The journey that would forever alter the lives of Betty and Mahtob Mahmoody began innocently enough. In the summer of 1984, Betty, an American woman, accompanied her Iranian-American husband, Sayyed Bozorg Mahmoody (often referred to as "Moody"), and their young daughter, Mahtob, on what was promised to be a two-week vacation to Moody's homeland, Iran. They arrived in Tehran on August 3, 1984. For Betty, it was a trip filled with apprehension, given the political climate and cultural differences she anticipated. For Mahtob, then a young child, it was an adventure into a new and exciting foreign land. ### The Initial Weeks: A Glimpse of Two Worlds Upon their arrival, the initial days and weeks unfolded with a mix of awe and bewilderment. Mahtob, born on September 4, 1979, found herself delighted by the foreign land, its new practices, and alien cultures. The vibrant sights, sounds, and the presence of her father's extended family provided a novel experience for the young girl. However, for Betty, the experience was often tinged with disgust, particularly concerning the treatment of women in Iranian society. She observed customs and expectations that were starkly different from her American upbringing, and these observations fueled her underlying anxieties about the trip. Despite these growing concerns, the family engaged in activities, including a pilgrimage to Qum, the theological center of Iran, to mark the occasion of Moharram. During these visits, they were accompanied by various family members, including Ameh Bozorg, Fereshteh, cousin Morteza, his wife Nastaran, and their daughter Nelufar, and experienced the cultural practice of gender separation in prayer chambers. These initial two weeks, while seemingly a family visit, were merely the calm before the storm, a deceptive prelude to the nightmare that was about to unfold. ## The Shocking Revelation: Captivity Declared The facade of a family vacation shattered abruptly on the eve of their scheduled departure. Betty and Mahtob had meticulously packed their belongings, eagerly anticipating their return home to the U.S. Their bags were ready, their minds set on leaving Iran behind. However, this hopeful moment was brutally interrupted when Moody stormed into the room, delivering a chilling announcement that would forever change their lives: they would not be returning to America. Instead, he declared, they would remain in Iran "until they die." This pronouncement instantly transformed Betty and Mahtob from temporary visitors into unwilling captives. The shock was immense, and Betty was left reeling as her husband, whom she had married in 1977, refused to let her and Mahtob leave, effectively turning them into virtual prisoners in a foreign land. ### A Virtual Prisoner: Betty's Nightmare Unfolds From that moment forward, Betty's life became a living nightmare. She was no longer a free woman but a prisoner, subjected to her husband's increasingly erratic and abusive behavior. Sayyed Bozorg Mahmoody, the man she had loved and trusted, began to physically abuse Betty and psychologically manipulate her, creating an environment of fear and control that made any thought of escape seem almost impossible. Mahtob, though young, was caught in the crossfire, witnessing her mother's suffering and experiencing her own sense of entrapment. The sudden shift from a planned two-week visit to indefinite captivity was a profound betrayal, leaving Betty in a desperate struggle to protect herself and her daughter, all while grappling with the harsh realities of a culture that offered her little recourse. ## The True Duration: How Long Were Betty and Mahtob in Iran? The question of **how long were Betty and Mahtob in Iran** is central to understanding the depth of their ordeal. According to both Betty's and Mahtob's autobiographical accounts, they were held captive for a significant period that stretched far beyond the initial two-week visit. They arrived in Tehran with Moody on August 3, 1984. Their dramatic escape, a testament to Betty's unwavering determination, occurred on January 29, 1986. Calculating the duration from August 3, 1984, to January 29, 1986: * August 1984: 28 days (from Aug 3) * September 1984: 30 days * October 1984: 31 days * November 1984: 30 days * December 1984: 31 days * January 1985: 31 days * February 1985: 28 days (1985 was not a leap year) * March 1985: 31 days * April 1985: 30 days * May 1985: 31 days * June 1985: 30 days * July 1985: 31 days * August 1985: 31 days * September 1985: 30 days * October 1985: 31 days * November 1985: 30 days * December 1985: 31 days * January 1986: 29 days (until Jan 29) Total days: 542 days. Dividing 542 days by 30.44 (average days in a month): approximately 17.8 months. Both Betty's book, "Not Without My Daughter," and Mahtob's memoir, "My Name is Mahtob," consistently state that they were held captive for a period of **18 months**. This figure aligns perfectly with the arrival and escape dates. This duration highlights the extraordinary resilience required to endure such a prolonged period of confinement, abuse, and psychological warfare in a foreign country. After more than a year in Iran, Betty and Mahtob did escape, proving that even in the darkest circumstances, hope and determination can pave the way to freedom. ## The Ordeal of Captivity: Life Under Duress Life for Betty and Mahtob during those 18 months was a constant struggle for survival, both physically and emotionally. Betty was subjected to severe physical abuse and relentless psychological manipulation by Moody, who sought to control every aspect of her existence. He isolated her from the outside world, denied her access to communication with her family in the U.S., and threatened her and Mahtob's lives if they attempted to leave. The constant fear and uncertainty created an oppressive atmosphere, making every day a challenge. Mahtob, a young child, experienced the trauma through her mother's suffering and her own forced adaptation to a new, restrictive life. She was enrolled in school, but the cultural differences and the underlying tension at home made her childhood far from normal. Betty, in her book, recalls mundane but poignant details of their captivity, such as knitting a sweater in Iran, a small act of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic and terrifying existence. ### Psychological Manipulation and Physical Abuse Moody's tactics were designed to break Betty's spirit and ensure her compliance. He used a combination of physical violence, threats against Mahtob, and psychological games to keep them trapped. The abuse was not just physical; it was a systematic attempt to strip Betty of her identity and agency. He exploited cultural norms and the legal system in Iran, which heavily favored men, to reinforce his control. Betty's pleas for help to local authorities or even to Moody's family often fell on deaf ears or were met with indifference, as they either sided with Moody or were powerless to intervene. This isolation and lack of external support deepened their despair, making the prospect of escape seem increasingly remote and dangerous. The constant fear that Mahtob would be kidnapped and returned to Iran, even after their escape, forced them to live for years under assumed names, a stark reminder of the lasting impact of their ordeal. ## The Desperate Escape: Planning and Execution Despite the overwhelming odds and the constant danger, Betty never gave up hope of escaping with Mahtob. She meticulously planned their escape, a process that required immense courage, cunning, and the ability to trust strangers in a land where she felt utterly alone. The plan was fraught with peril, relying on a network of underground contacts and a significant sum of money. Betty was told by one contact, "My friend takes people to Turkey. It costs $30,000." Her response was immediate and resolute: "I don’t care about the money. I just want to get out with my daughter." This exchange underscores the desperate measures she was willing to take. The escape itself was not a simple walk to freedom; it was a perilous journey across treacherous terrain, involving long hours of travel by various means, often under the cover of darkness. They had to evade checkpoints, bribe officials, and endure harsh conditions, all while trying to keep a low profile and protect Mahtob. The emotional and physical strain of this journey was immense, but the thought of freedom propelled them forward. ### The Perilous Journey to Freedom On January 29, 1986, the day of their escape, Betty and Mahtob embarked on the most dangerous leg of their journey. They spent the next two nights hidden in an apartment in Tehran, a temporary refuge before continuing their perilous trek. The night of January 31, they continued their journey, moving covertly towards the border. Their escape route involved crossing rugged, snow-covered mountains, guided by smugglers who were their only hope. The journey was physically exhausting and terrifying, especially for young Mahtob. They faced freezing temperatures, the constant threat of discovery, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Each step was a gamble, but the promise of returning home, of being free, was the ultimate motivation. After what felt like an eternity, they finally crossed the border into Turkey, signaling the end of their captivity in Iran and the beginning of their new life. The moment they reached safety, Betty's heartfelt words to Mahtob resonated with profound relief: "We're home, baby." ## Betty Mahmoody: A Profile in Courage Betty Mahmoody, born June 9, 1945, is an American author and public speaker whose life story became a global phenomenon. Her book, "Not Without My Daughter," published in 1987, detailed her harrowing experience and escape from Iran with her daughter. The book's raw honesty and gripping narrative quickly made it a bestseller, leading to its adaptation into a successful film of the same name in 1991, starring Sally Field as Betty. Betty's story resonated with millions, not just as a tale of survival, but as a stark warning about the dangers of international child abduction and the complexities of cultural clashes. Her unwavering determination to protect her daughter, even in the face of extreme abuse and a seemingly insurmountable legal and cultural system, cemented her as a symbol of maternal strength and resilience. After returning to the U.S., Betty dedicated her life to helping others in similar circumstances. She became a successful writer and a lecturer, using her platform to raise awareness about parental abduction and to support families navigating these traumatic situations. Her work continues to provide invaluable guidance and hope to many women and children held against their will in foreign countries. | **Attribute** | **Details**
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