Rare Photo of Mary Jo Buttafuoco, Shot by Amy Fisher 34 Years Ago, Released by Daughter on Anniversary
Mary Jo Buttafuoco, who was shot in the face by Amy Fisher, the 17-year-old woman who was having an affair with her husband, Joey Buttafuoco, is smiling on the 34th anniversary of the horrific shooting.
In a touching Instagram post by her daughter, Jessie Buttafuoco, Mary Jo was honored for her strength and resilience as she sat on the beach under an umbrella.
"Today marks 34 years of survival. What could have been remembered solely as the day my mom was almost murdered has become something far more powerful in our family: it's become Survival Day. I have watched my mother endure things that would break most people- surviving a bullet to the head, public humiliation on a national stage, decades of media exploitation, MY DAD, addiction, PTSD, mental health struggles, watching her kids suffer, and years of having her pain turned into entertainment for others. And yet somehow, through all of it, she kept going," Jessie captioned the photo, in which she smiles alongside her mother.
Reclaiming Her Story
Jessie continued, stating that this last year has served as a period for Mary Jo to reclaim her story that has become tabloid fodder over the last several decades. The Long Island crime captivated the nation, giving Fisher the nickname "Long Island Lolita." But behind the headlines, Mary Jo was a woman suffering. Ultimately, she suffered facial paralysis and hearing loss, and the bullet is still lodged in her head. Despite her struggle, she now exudes a message of hope.
"This past year, I watched her do something I never thought I'd fully see: reclaim her own narrative through her lifetime movie, I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco. For the first time in a long time, her voice stood at the center of her own story. Not the tabloids… Not the headlines… Her," said Jessie. "Back then, No one protected my mother. No one advocated for her humanity. No one created safeguards for her when her life was turned into a spectacle."
To watch the trailer for I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco, check it out below:
Jessie's Amazing Career Trajectory
Because she grew up "witnessing firsthand what happens when trauma becomes public consumption," Jessie was inspired to dedicate her career to studying crime and trauma. She's now working toward a PhD.
"My PhD research focuses on the psychological impact of true crime media and unethical media practices on victims, survivors, and co-victims of crime. Through my advocacy and research, I hope to help create legislation and ethical reform that protects victims, survivors, and co-victims of crime from further exploitation and sensationalism in the media," wrote Jessie.
She concluded her post by honoring her mom's resilience.
"Today, we don't celebrate what was done to my mom. We celebrate the fact that it did not destroy her. That it did not destroy us. Survival Day is a reminder that even after unimaginable pain… healing, resilience, and reclaiming your voice are possible. Happy Survival Day, Mom."
Related: ‘General Hospital' Villain Transforms Into Mary Jo Buttafuoco in New Movie Trailer
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:38 AM.