Shirley Temple was one of the most famous child stars in the world. Many people know her movies and her later work as a U.S. diplomat. But fewer people know about her first child, Linda Susan Agar. This article shares what is known about Linda’s life. It uses clear language and trusted sources. It also respects her privacy, because she chose a quiet life away from the spotlight.
Personal Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linda Susan Agar |
| Known for | Daughter of actress and diplomat Shirley Temple and actor John Agar |
| Year of birth | 1948 |
| Parents | Shirley Temple (later Shirley Temple Black) and John Agar |
| Half-siblings (mother’s side) | Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black |
| Early public images | Family photos with her parents in 1948–49, widely archived by photo agencies |
| Public career | Largely private life; no well-documented public career in major outlets |
| Notable context | Often mentioned in reliable obituaries and profiles of Shirley Temple |
Early Life: Born into Fame, Raised with Care
Linda was born in 1948 during the years when her mother was moving from film work into adult life. The marriage of Shirley Temple and John Agar began in 1945 and ended in 1950. News outlets that covered Shirley Temple’s life note the marriage and that it “brought her something beautiful,” her daughter Linda Susan.
We can also see proof of Linda’s early months in family photos from 1948 and 1949. These images show Shirley Temple and John Agar smiling with their baby daughter. The photos are held by well-known picture libraries and captioned by date, which helps confirm the timeline.
When Shirley Temple and John Agar divorced in 1950, Shirley soon married Charles Alden Black, a businessman and later a naval officer. Many obituaries and profiles describe this second marriage, which lasted for decades and became the stable base of Shirley’s family life. Linda grew up with two younger half-siblings from that marriage: Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black (a musician who later played bass in the band Melvins).
A Private Path
Unlike her mother, Linda stayed out of the spotlight. Major newspapers that wrote about Shirley Temple’s life mention Linda as part of the family, but they do not describe a public career for her. This suggests that Linda chose privacy, which is common for children of very famous parents. For example, obituaries from respected publications list Shirley Temple’s children Linda, Charles Jr., and Lori without any public job for Linda.
Some websites make big claims about Linda’s personal life, such as exact birth details, marriages, children, or even a date of death. These claims often come from low-quality blogs or user-edited pages and are not confirmed by strong sources. In this article, we avoid those details unless they appear in trusted outlets. Reliable coverage about Shirley Temple mentions Linda as Shirley’s daughter and keeps the focus on Shirley’s life and public service.
Family and Home Life
After 1950, Shirley Temple’s second marriage created a steady home life. Many respected outlets note that Shirley and Charles Alden Black were married for 55 years, until his death in 2005. Family came first. Linda was the oldest child, followed by her half-brother Charles Jr. and half-sister Lori. These facts appear across several major obituaries and profiles.
Public photos show Linda as a baby with her parents. Later, the family sometimes appeared together at official or social events, but Linda herself did not build a public profile. The image record supports the idea that, after early childhood pictures, Linda’s life stayed largely off camera.
What We Can Say with Confidence
Because Linda has kept a low profile, only a small set of facts can be said with strong confidence:
- Parentage and year of birth (1948): Repeated across reliable outlets and supported by dated photo captions.
- Her parents’ divorce (1950) and her mother’s second marriage to Charles Alden Black: Well documented in biographies and obituaries.
- Half-siblings (Charles Jr. and Lori): Noted in major newspapers when covering Shirley Temple’s death in 2014.
- Private life: The absence of verified public roles for Linda in high-quality sources suggests she preferred privacy. This is also how top outlets refer to Shirley’s children by name, not by public jobs.
Some online articles try to fill the gaps with guesses. But the best practice is to stick to confirmed facts, especially when writing about a private person who did not seek fame.
Why Reliable Sources Matter Here
Writing about the child of a world-famous person is tricky. Many sites repeat unproven stories. This is why we use trusted sources.
Obituaries and tributes in major outlets confirm the core family facts and the 1948 birth year.
Photo archives show dated family pictures from 1948 and 1949 with Linda as a baby, which supports the timeline.
By using these sources, we avoid passing along rumors. We also respect Linda’s choice to live outside the public eye.
Legacy: Growing Up with a Legend, Living Life Her Way
Shirley Temple’s story is known around the world: child star, then public servant and ambassador. She was also a mother. When she died in 2014, statements from the family and press coverage made it clear that her children including Linda were central to her life. Linda’s legacy, then, is not a list of film credits or political posts. It is the quiet picture of a daughter who grew up in a loving and famous family, and who kept her life private.
This kind of choice is important to recognize. Not every child of a celebrity wants the spotlight. Linda’s path shows another way: staying close to family, avoiding headlines, and letting the public story belong to her mother.
Conclusion
Linda Susan Agar may not be a household name like her mother, but her story still matters. She was born into one of the most famous families in Hollywood, yet she chose a quiet and private life. This decision shows that not everyone who grows up around fame wants to stay in the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who are Linda Susan Agar’s parents?
Her parents are Shirley Temple and John Agar. - When was Linda Susan Agar born?
She was born in 1948, as reported in reliable coverage and supported by dated photo captions. - Does Linda have siblings?
Yes. She has two half-siblings on her mother’s side: Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black. - Did Linda appear in movies like her mother?
There is no strong evidence in major outlets that she had a public acting career. She kept a private life. Most top sources list her only as Shirley Temple’s daughter. - Are there photos of Linda as a child?
Yes. Photo archives show family pictures from 1948–49 with baby Linda and her parents. - Did Linda change her last name after her mother remarried?
Some websites claim this, but major, reliable sources continue to refer to her as Linda Susan Agar. There is no clear confirmation of a legal name change in top outlets. - What did Linda do for work?
Her life appears private in trusted coverage. Major papers and trade outlets do not report a public career for her. - Is Linda still alive?
When Shirley Temple died in 2014, news reports said she was survived by her children, including Linda. That confirms Linda was alive at that time. Later claims on low-quality sites are not well sourced. - Where was Linda born?
Many unsourced sites say Santa Monica, but top outlets mainly confirm the year (1948) and her parentage. Because reliable sources do not all state a birthplace, we avoid naming one here. - Why is there so little public information about Linda?
Because she chose privacy. Reliable articles about Shirley Temple focus on Shirley’s work and mention her children only briefly.
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