Hinckley Breaks Silence: Message to Jodie Foster 45 Years Later
John Hinckley Jr. Speaks Out: 45 Years After the Reagan Shooting, He Wishes Jodie Foster Well
Important Point: This article discusses a historical event involving violence and mental health. The information is presented for educational purposes to help you understand what happened and where things stand today.
Who Is John Hinckley Jr.?
John Hinckley Jr. is a man who, in 1981, tried to kill President Ronald Reagan. He was 25 years old at the time. Today, he is 71 years old.
Why did he do it?
He became obsessed with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her in the movie Taxi Driver. In his mind, he believed that shooting the president would impress her and make her notice him.
What Happened on March 30, 1981?
Here’s a simple breakdown of the events that day:
- Location: Outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
- Timing: Just two months after Reagan became president.
- The Shooting: Hinckley fired several shots.
- Who Was Hurt:
- President Reagan – Broken rib, punctured lung, internal bleeding (he survived).
- James Brady (White House Press Secretary) – Shot in the head, suffered brain damage and partial paralysis. He died in 2014, and his death was ruled a homicide (caused by the shooting).
- Two other men – Also wounded.
What Happened to Hinckley After the Shooting?
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Found not guilty by reason of insanity — the court decided he was too mentally ill to be held criminally responsible. |
| 1982–2016 | Spent over 30 years in a psychiatric hospital for treatment. |
| 2016 | Released from the hospital under strict conditions. |
| 2022 | All court restrictions lifted — he now lives freely in Virginia. |
His New Interview: What Did He Say About Jodie Foster?
In a recent interview on the "Mark Joseph Show" (shared with Entertainment Weekly), Hinckley opened up about his feelings today.
Key Quotes (Simplified):
"I just wish Jodie Foster well. I don’t really see her movies, but I wish her well, and I know she’s doing quite well. And that’s all I can say: I just, I wish Jodie well, and I hope she has a good life."
What He Believed Back Then (In His Delusional State):
- He thought the best outcome of the shooting would be a "union" with Jodie Foster — meaning they’d live together for the rest of their lives.
- He believed she would join him wherever he ended up — jail, hospital, or elsewhere.
- He now admits: "Of course, [it] was delusional."
Could Jodie Foster Have Been the Target?
Yes. Hinckley admitted:
"She definitely could have been a target. It’s just fate went the other way… But, as fate turned out, it was Reagan instead of her."
This shows how unstable his thinking was at the time.
Has He Apologized?
Yes. In a 2022 CBS interview, he said:
"I shot four people, and I’m sorry to the Reagan family, the Brady family, the other families of the victims. I’m sorry to Jodie Foster for bringing her into this."
Why Does This Still Matter Today?
- It’s been 45 years since the shooting.
- The case changed how the U.S. handles insanity defenses in court.
- James Brady’s death in 2014 was officially ruled a homicide — meaning the shooting legally caused his death decades later.
- Hinckley’s release and current freedom spark ongoing conversations about mental health, justice, and public safety.
Summary
- John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan in 1981 to get Jodie Foster’s attention.
- He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent 35 years in a psychiatric hospital.
- Released in 2016, fully free by 2022.
- In a new interview, he says he wishes Foster well and admits his beliefs at the time were delusional.
- He apologized in 2022 to all victims and their families.
- James Brady’s death was later ruled a homicide caused by the shooting.
FAQ
1. Why wasn’t Hinckley sent to prison?
He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. This means the court decided he had a severe mental illness that prevented him from understanding his actions were wrong. Instead of prison, he went to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.
2. Is Jodie Foster okay?
Yes. She has had a very successful career and life. She has never had a relationship with Hinckley and has largely stayed out of the public conversation about him.
3. Can Hinckley go anywhere he wants now?
Yes. As of 2022, a judge removed all court restrictions. He lives in Virginia and is a free man.
4. Did Hinckley know Jodie Foster personally?
No. He only saw her in movies (especially Taxi Driver) and developed a one-sided obsession. She did not know him.
5. Why is this in the news now?
Hinckley gave a rare new interview (airing soon on the Mark Joseph Show), where he spoke publicly about Foster and his past for the first time in years. Media outlets like Fox News and Entertainment Weekly are covering it.
Final Thought: This story is a tragic reminder of how untreated mental illness, combined with obsession, can lead to violence. It also shows how the justice system tries to balance accountability with compassion and treatment.