Modern scholarship debunks the myth of Mary Magdalene as prostitute turned saint in this installment of A&E's popular Biography series, in which viewers learn of Mary's true role as evangelist, prophet, and influential leader of the early Christian church. Mary was born into an affluent family, but became Jesus's follower and patroness as well as his closest friend. Although her smeared reputation likely was the result of medieval opposition to women's leadership in the Church, Mary Magdalene is emerging as an object of veneration rather than one of controversy. This episode features interviews with scholars and evokes Mary Magdalene's times through re-enactments and references to classic works of art