While Marc Fogel spent his days in a Russian prison, his mother never lost hope. Malphine, now 96, continued to pray the Rosary for his release, while pressuring lawmakers and the state department to do more.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, marks one full year since Fogel — a teacher, husband and father — was released from Russia and returned to the United States. Thanks to the efforts of the family, students, elected officials and others, the Butler native can now spend time with his family and keep up with his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.

“There were many times during the process where, I don’t want to say we lost hope, but we encountered really frustrating challenges along the way,” said Sasha Phillips, the Fogel family’s attorney. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be where we’re at.”

Fogel, 64, and his family have come a long way from the bleakest days of his detainment. The family, and their legal team, persevered for three and a half years through the uncertainty over whether Fogel would make it back at all.

“He’s home, and he gets to be with his family,” Malphine said Monday. “He seems to be doing well. He’s really enjoying the comradery of the people around him.”

Fogel and his wife, Jane, were well established in the international teaching community. Both had taught at the Anglo-American School in Moscow since 2012, after teaching and raising their sons, Ethan and Sam, around the world.

The Fogels had flown back to Moscow after a summer break, returning to their teaching jobs, when Marc Fogel was detained in August 2021 while going through customs at Sheremetyevo Airport.

He was arrested for possessing less than an ounce of medical marijuana that was prescribed to him in the United States for his chronic back pain.

Fogel would be convicted of drug trafficking in a Russian court. A Russian judge described the small amount of marijuana as “large-scale cannabis smuggling.” He was sentenced to 14 years in a penal colony — a gut-wrenching decision that both his family and loved ones, as well as the American public, found outrageous and nonsensical.

Once the dust settled and Fogel’s fate was handed down, he was put into a train crammed with other prisoners and zigzagged across Russia, eventually ending up in a penal colony in Rybinsk.

For the next 1,200-plus days, efforts to release Fogel ranged from signing petitions to the creation of a documentary.

“Did You Forget Mr. Fogel?,” directed by Max Karpman, gained national attention.

“It’s been a relief to see the happy ending,” Karpman said in an interview.

The film followed the Fogels through some of their darkest hours.

“It was really heavy,” Karpman said. “I think everybody’s relieved that he’s here.”

Meanwhile, media campaigns pushed Fogel’s case into the mainstream. Fifty local artists helped turn Fogel into a symbol of hope with the iconic collaborative “Home” portrait.

By Christmas of 2023, Fogel had been in prison for about two and a half years with little to no movement on his case. Efforts then included Malphine, along with Phillips and others, lobbying politicians, diplomats and other government officials to do more.

“The stress did a number on me, on all of us” Marc’s sister, Anne said.

Over time, the public push for Fogel’s release gained traction. Members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation urged the state department to include Fogel in negotiations with Russia.

Even so, other Americans, such as journalist Evan Gershkovich and professional basketball player Brittney Griner, were released in prisoner swaps while Fogel was left behind. Griner was released in 2022 and Gershkovich was set free in 2024.

“Marc was overlooked for two swaps and we felt he should have been included because of the circumstances,” Phillips said. “Every single time, we were horribly disappointed.

“It was difficult to stay focused because this was not, for whatever reason, working.”

She recalled the case involving “very high levels of diplomatic negotiations,” politics and elections.

The Fogels kept pushing.

Malphine sued then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the federal government in June 2024, attempting to compel the state department to designate Fogel as “wrongfully detained” under the Levinson Act.

Eventually, the government made the declaration, opening additional resources to push for his release.

“Malphine, she’s 96. She sued the U.S. government,” Phillips said. “A mother would do anything, but this woman is a true hero. She never lost faith.”

Then, suddenly, the news broke on Feb. 11, 2025 that Fogel was on a plane, headed out of Russian airspace. President Donald Trump’s administration had secured his release, fulfilling a promise Malphine had said Trump made to her during his July 13, 2024, visit to Butler County.

Members of the press descended on Malphine’s house for a news conference, while the White House prepared to give Fogel a hero’s welcome home, complete with an Iron City beer.

Marc’s sister gave the confirmation to the Butler Eagle once out of Russian airspace: “He’s on his way home!”

That day, one year ago, was the culmination of the efforts of so many, led by the Fogel family.

“Looking back, I think to myself, ‘Did that happen? Was that my reality?’” Anne Fogel said. “It’s all overwhelming, but the universe flipped back over.”

Phillips will always remember Malphine’s reaction as she walked into her home for the news conference.

“What I remember is Malphine holding hands with me,” she said. “She gave me this big hug when I walked into her house that day, knowing Marc was coming home.

“It was that much more powerful and joyful, because we were holding on to each other after doing this for the past several years. It was like a manifestation, now that he was coming home. It was amazing.”

Fogel spent a brief time at a hospital in Texas before returning to Pennsylvania. His family asked the public at the time to honor their request for privacy, allowing Fogel and his family time and space to heal together following the “harrowing trauma” he endured.

While recovering, Fogel would still make occasional appearances, recognized with standing ovations from Western Pennsylvanians, such as when he threw the first pitch at the Pirates’ 2025 home opener.

“It’s very admirable to see it. To be able to witness that kind of bravery and that resilience and courage. I still think about it daily,” Karpman said. “The Fogel family is truly a special group of people.”

Phillips is quick to note that it “truly took a village.” This included Randy Bregman, a lawyer who handled diplomatic aspects of the case in Washington, D.C., the artists, Karpman and his team’s efforts to catch on film the whole story, diplomats and countless government officials.

Through it all, they were led by the Fogels.

“The family members gave their all. I don’t know if I’ve seen a family so tightly knit, willing to jump at any opportunity, up for anything proposed to help his cause,” Phillips said.

Malphine said Marc, who lives in Oakmont, keeps up with sports, politics, history and other topics of interest that catch his attention.

As he adjusts to normal life, he was able to watch this past Steelers season and is likely gearing up for the this next Pirates season.

“It took him a long time to grasp,” Anne Fogel said. “But I think it was a necessary part of that endeavor to make him noticeable. It was not easy.”

Tune in to the “Alter Eagle“ podcast Wednesday morning, Feb. 11, to hear more from Marc’s sister, Anne Fogel, on Spotify or any other podcasting platform.