Who Is John William McDonald? The Amazing Life Story of Eartha Kitt’s Former Husband

John William McDonald built a quiet life away from the spotlight, yet his name remains tied to one of the most famous entertainers of the 20th century. He married singer and actress Eartha Kitt in 1960, a union that briefly placed him in the public eye during a time when interracial marriages faced heavy social scrutiny. Beyond his connection to Kitt, McDonald lived a full life shaped by military service, a career in real estate, and fatherhood. This article explores his background, his marriage, and the legacy he left behind.

Bio Table

Early Life and Family Background

John William McDonald was born on April 12, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. He came from a well-off family with German-Irish roots, and his upbringing gave him access to a stable home life and a solid education from a young age.

McDonald later attended the University of Southern California, where he studied accounting. This academic foundation eventually shaped his professional path, steering him toward a career in business and real estate rather than the entertainment world that would later define his public image.

Military Service in the Korean War

Before settling into civilian life, McDonald served in the United States Army during the Korean War. His time in the military left a lasting mark on him, as he sustained a serious injury that led to his discharge from active duty.

That injury also contributed to a long-term dependence on opioids, a struggle he carried well into his adult life. Friends and family later pointed to this period as a turning point that shaped much of his personal story in the years that followed.

Meeting Eartha Kitt

McDonald met Eartha Kitt in 1957 through a mutual friend named Bob Dix. At the time, Kitt’s career was gaining serious momentum, while McDonald was still finding his footing after leaving the army.

The two built a friendship that grew stronger as they bonded over shared setbacks in their personal lives. Their connection eventually turned romantic, despite the racial prejudices common in American society during that era.

Marriage to Eartha Kitt

John William McDonald and Eartha Kitt married on June 9, 1960, in a small ceremony attended by about 20 close family members and friends. The wedding announcement reportedly surprised his family, given the social climate surrounding interracial couples at the time.

A year later, the couple welcomed their only child together, a daughter named Kitt McDonald, born on November 26, 1961, at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. She was baptized Catholic at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and Kitt often described her newborn daughter as looking like a beautiful princess.

The Strain and End of the Marriage

The marriage soon faced serious pressure. Eartha Kitt’s career kept her on the road for extended periods, while McDonald managed ongoing health struggles tied to his war injuries and opioid use.

In 1963, Kitt filed for divorce, citing mental cruelty as the reason for the split. McDonald did not appear in court, and the divorce was finalized on March 26, 1964, with Kitt receiving full custody of their daughter and $100 a month in child support.

Life After the Divorce

Following the split, McDonald returned his focus to his career in real estate, working as an associate at a real estate investment firm. He kept a low public profile and largely stayed out of media coverage for the rest of his life.

He went on to marry twice more, and one of those marriages produced a son named Chad, born about eight years after his daughter Kitt. Despite building a new family, McDonald rarely spoke publicly about his marriage to Eartha Kitt or his life afterward.

Relationship With His Daughter

Even after the divorce, McDonald stayed involved in his daughter’s life. Kitt McDonald, who later became known as Kitt Shapiro, has spoken about her father’s role in her upbringing alongside her famous mother.

Shapiro grew up to become an entrepreneur and founded Simply Eartha, a lifestyle brand inspired by her mother’s legacy. She has also worked to preserve her mother’s music and public image while occasionally reflecting on her father’s quieter, more private influence on her life.

Later Years and Death

John William McDonald spent his later years maintaining a private lifestyle centered on his family and business interests. Details about this period remain limited, since he intentionally avoided public attention throughout his life.

He passed away in Los Angeles on May 12, 2005, at the age of 82. His death received little media coverage at the time, a reflection of the private life he chose to lead despite his connection to one of the era’s most recognized performers.

Conclusion

John William McDonald’s life extended far beyond his brief marriage to Eartha Kitt. As a war veteran, businessman, and father, he navigated personal struggles while quietly building a life outside the public eye, leaving behind a legacy tied closely to his daughter and the family he left behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was John William McDonald?

John William McDonald was an American businessman, real estate investor, and Korean War veteran best known as the former husband of singer and actress Eartha Kitt.

2. When did John William McDonald marry Eartha Kitt?

He married Eartha Kitt on June 9, 1960, in a small ceremony attended by about 20 guests.

3. Why did Eartha Kitt and John William McDonald divorce?

Kitt filed for divorce in 1963, citing mental cruelty. The divorce was finalized on March 26, 1964.

4. Did John William McDonald have children?

Yes, he had a daughter named Kitt Shapiro with Eartha Kitt and a son named Chad from a later marriage.

5. Is John William McDonald still alive?

No, he passed away on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82.