John William McDonald is best known as the first husband of Eartha Kitt. While he mostly stayed outside the stage lights, his life touched important parts of Kitt’s personal story. Understanding who he was helps us see a fuller picture of the star’s home life in the early 1960s. He worked in real estate, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and became a father to their only child, Kitt. The marriage was short, but it had a lasting effect on both mother and daughter.
Personal Information
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | John William “Bill” McDonald |
| Known for | Husband of singer and actress Eartha Kitt |
| Profession | Businessman; associate in real estate investment |
| Military service | U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War |
| Marriage | Married Eartha Kitt in June 1960 |
| Separation and divorce | Separated July 1963; divorced March 26, 1964 |
| Child | One daughter, Kitt McDonald (later Kitt Shapiro), born Nov 26, 1961 |
| Reported birth–death | 1923 to 2005 (age 82) |
| Notable places | Lived and married in the United States |
Early life and work
Many public records about John McDonald are limited, since he was not a performer or a public figure. Reports describe him as a businessman linked to real estate investment. Some say he studied accounting before moving into business, but the most consistent detail is his role in real estate. Because he did not seek attention, much of his early background stays private.
Service in the Korean War
Reports about McDonald note that he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. One Guardian feature about Eartha Kitt also mentions that he was a wounded veteran, which shows the service was an important part of his life. This part of his story helps explain his discipline and work ethic later on.
Meeting Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt was already famous by the late 1950s. She was a singer and actress with global tours and hit songs. When Kitt and McDonald met, they came from different worlds: she from show business, he from business and real estate. Some accounts say they met through friends in Los Angeles. While such details vary, all agree that the connection moved quickly toward marriage.
Marriage in 1960
John McDonald and Eartha Kitt married in June 1960. Different publications give different exact days in June, but the month and year are consistent across sources. The marriage drew interest because Kitt was an international star, and the couple’s home life stood apart from the stage and studio.
Their daughter, Kitt McDonald
The couple welcomed a daughter, Kitt McDonald (later known as Kitt Shapiro), on November 26, 1961. This date appears again and again in records. Kitt has shared many stories of growing up close to her mother. The birth of their daughter was a high point for both parents, and she remained the center of the family even after the marriage ended.
Separation and divorce
The relationship began to struggle after a few years. Records note a legal separation on July 1, 1963, and a divorce finalized on March 26, 1964. Some obituaries round the end of the marriage to “after the birth” or “five years,” but the biography record gives the specific dates above. This shows how public records can clarify common short summaries.
Life after the marriage
After the divorce, Eartha Kitt focused on raising their daughter and on her career. She and Kitt moved for work in Europe for a time and later settled in the United States. Obituaries and profiles describe how Kitt managed both motherhood and a demanding career. These accounts also show that John McDonald stayed largely private after the split, which is why detailed reports about his later business steps are rare.
Reported later years and death
Some records list John William McDonald’s life dates as 1923 to 2005, with age 82 at death. A memorial entry and several biography roundups repeat this. Because he was not a celebrity, there are fewer press articles about his final years, but the memorial record supports the timeline.
How people saw the couple
Media at the time often focused on Eartha Kitt’s art and public image. Still, the marriage to John McDonald appears in major obituaries and biographies. They describe the union as short and sometimes strained, but always note the joy of their daughter’s birth. Kitt’s own life story shows that family love, especially for her child, mattered to her the most. McDonald, in turn, is remembered in these sources as a businessman and veteran who became part of a very public life for a short time.
Why his story matters
Telling the story of John William McDonald helps readers understand Eartha Kitt as a person, not only as a star. Behind the songs and the roles, there was a home, a marriage, and a child. His path, Army service, business in real estate, a quiet life after fame, shows a different kind of strength. It reminds us that public stories often rely on private people who choose to stay out of the spotlight.
Final thoughts
John William McDonald did not live in the spotlight, yet his life joined with one of the most famous performers of the 20th century. He worked in real estate, served his country, and became a father. The marriage ended, but the family bond through their daughter remained. Looking at his story in a clear, simple way helps us understand the person behind a well-known name in Eartha Kitt’s life.
Frequently asked questions
- Who was John William McDonald
He was a U.S. businessman linked to real estate investment. He is known as Eartha Kitt’s first husband. - When did he marry Eartha Kitt
They married in June 1960. Exact day differs by source, but June 1960 is consistent. - Did they have children
Yes, one daughter, Kitt McDonald (later Kitt Shapiro), born November 26, 1961. - When did John and Eartha separate and divorce
They separated on July 1, 1963, and divorced on March 26, 1964. - What work did John McDonald do
He worked in business and was an associate in a real estate investment company. - Did John McDonald serve in the military
Yes, sources report he was a Korean War veteran. - How long did the marriage last
About four years, from June 1960 until the divorce in March 1964. - What happened after the divorce
Eartha Kitt raised their daughter and continued her career. John McDonald kept a private life outside the media. - When did John McDonald die
Records list 2005 as his year of death, at age 82. - Why is he important in Eartha Kitt’s story
He was her first husband and the father of her only child, and their family life shaped parts of Kitt’s personal and professional choices.
