Elizabeth Holmes says federal prison stay has 'been hell and torture'

Elizabeth Holmes, who was convicted on federal fraud charges, says prison is "hell and torture."

The embattled Theranos founder, who inspired a hit Hulu show "The Dropout" starring actress Amanda Seyfried, opened up about her new life in a People magazine interview published Wednesday.

"It's surreal. People who have never met me believe so strongly about me. They don't understand who I am. It forces you to spend a lot of time questioning belief and hoping the truth will prevail," Holmes told People. "I am walking by faith and, ultimately, the truth, but it's been hell and torture to be here."

Ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes to be released from prison 2 years early

In November 2022, after pleading guilty, the California former biotechnology entrepreneur was sentenced to 11 years and three months for defrauding investors in the failed Silicon Valley startup Theranos that sought to revolutionize blood testing. Later, the Federal Bureau of Prisons records showed her sentence had an updated release date of Dec. 23, 2032, two years earlier than expected.

"I’m not the same person I was back then," Holmes told People. Although she has never admitted any wrongdoing beyond her guilty plea, the former founder told the outlet that "there are things I would have done differently," adding that "so many of these women (in prison) don't have anyone, and once they're in there, they're forgotten."

She also teased post-prison life, telling People that she plans to advocate for criminal justice reform in America.

"Human beings are not made to be in cells," she says. "It goes so far beyond understanding. I'm trying really hard not to tear up right now. I'm trying to grow, as every moment matters. And if one person's life can be touched trying to help them in a crisis, it matters."

"This will be my life's work," she added. The People magazine cover photos were recycled from the May 2023 pre-prison profile in The New York Times, titled "Liz Holmes Wants You to Forget About Elizabeth," which courted controversy. Critics argued that writer and Hollywood producer Amy Chozick chose to sanitize the mom-of-two as a sympathetic figure despite her pending detention in federal prison.

Elizabeth Holmes, mom of two, discusses motherhood

In the People exclusive, Holmes also got candid about her journey in motherhood as mom to William, 3, and Invicta, 2, with whom she shares with San Francisco hotel heir Billy Evans, who proposed to her with a snake ring from the Taylor Swift Reputation concert tour.

It "shatters my world every single time," Holmes said. "The people I love the most have to walk away as I stand here, a prisoner, and my reality sinks in."

"It kills me to put my family through pain the way I do," Holmes added. "But when I look back on my life, and these angels that have come into it, I can get through anything. It makes me want to fight for all of it."

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elizabeth Holmes: Federal prison 'hell and torture'