John William McDonald was not a famous actor or singer. But he is known by many people because he was married to the legendary Eartha Kitt. Eartha was a famous singer, dancer, and actress. She had a big name in Hollywood. So, people became curious about the man she once called her husband.
John was a quiet man who stayed away from the spotlight. He was not often in magazines or on TV. But his life story is still very interesting. He was a soldier, a businessman, a husband, and a father. He lived through war, love, pain, and change.
In this article, we will learn about John’s full life. We’ll look at his childhood, his time in the Army, how he met Eartha Kitt, and what happened after their marriage. So let’s get started.
John William’s Early Life and Family
John William McDonald was born on April 12, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the U.S. and had a background of German-Irish roots. That means his family came from Germany and Ireland many years ago. He was born into a Christian family and followed simple values.
Not much is written about John’s parents or childhood. He did not live a public life, so details about his early years are very few. But we know that he was smart, responsible, and stayed away from fame. He worked hard and later joined the Army to serve his country.
Before meeting Eartha Kitt, John had a simple life. He studied, built his career, and stayed out of the spotlight. But his life was about to change once he met the woman who would make him part of Hollywood history.
John William’s Time in the Army
John served as a soldier in the Korean War. He fought bravely for America during a very hard time. The Korean War happened between 1950 and 1953. It was a dangerous time, and many soldiers, like John, were injured badly.
During the war, John was hit by grenade explosions. He had to go through 25 surgeries after returning home. These surgeries were painful and took a lot of time to recover from. His body was hurt, and so was his mind. Many people who go through war carry emotional pain too.
To help with the pain, John was given strong medicine. Sadly, over time, he became addicted to opioids. These drugs helped his pain, but they also created new problems. This addiction would later affect his marriage and personal life.
John William’s Life After the War
After leaving the Army, John tried to start fresh. He moved into the business world. He became an accountant and worked with real estate. That means he helped buy, sell, or manage buildings and properties. It was a serious job, and he worked hard.
Even though he worked full-time, the pain from his injuries stayed with him. He had physical pain from the surgeries and emotional stress from the war. This made his life difficult, even as he tried to move forward.
But life gave him something new — love. While working and healing, John met Eartha Kitt. Their story began when they were both dealing with heartbreak. That connection helped them grow close and eventually led to a life-changing moment.
How John William Met Eartha Kitt
John met Eartha Kitt through a friend named Bob Dix. At the time, Eartha was becoming very famous. She was a strong and independent woman. John was more private and calm. But they shared something special — both had gone through recent breakups.
They started spending time together, talking, and supporting each other. Their friendship turned into love. Even though they came from different worlds, they connected deeply. Eartha once said she finally felt like she was going to have a real family.
Their love grew stronger, and people started to notice. Even though John was not a celebrity, he began to appear in magazines and photos with Eartha. Their love story caught attention, and soon, they made a big announcement.
Eartha and John got married
Eartha and John got married on July 6, 1960. The wedding was small and private, with only about 20 guests. It was a peaceful ceremony with close family and friends. Eartha looked beautiful and happy. She told people she finally had the family she always dreamed of.
Not everyone was thrilled. Some people in John’s family were surprised by the sudden wedding. His friend Bob, who introduced them, didn’t even want to be the best man. So someone else took his place. But that didn’t stop the couple from celebrating their big day.
After the wedding, they tried to build a home together. John had just started working after finishing his studies. Eartha was still performing around the world. Even with their different schedules, they were excited to start a life together.
John William McDonald became Father
A year after their wedding, John William McDonald and Eartha welcomed their baby girl. Her name was Kitt McDonald, later known as Kitt Shapiro. She was born on November 26, 1961, at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. Eartha said her daughter looked like a “beautiful Hindi princess.”
Eartha went through a tough labor, but she was full of love for her baby. She refused to hire a nurse and took care of Kitt herself. She only used a babysitter when she had to be on stage. That shows how seriously she took her role as a mother.
John became a father for the first time. But at the same time, his health and pain made it harder for him to be fully involved. Still, he was part of a beautiful moment — bringing Kitt into the world.
John William McDonald’s Marriage Problems
After becoming parents, things slowly started to change. Eartha Kitt was always busy with shows, travel, and work. She spent a lot of time away from home. This made it hard for the couple to spend time together. John stayed home while Eartha toured the world.
Eartha always made time for her daughter, but being a wife was harder for her. John, on the other hand, was dealing with pain and stress. His past injuries and many surgeries made life hard. He also started using opioids to help with pain, but this became a big problem.
People close to them said John’s addiction started after the war. He needed strong medicine to handle pain. But over time, it affected his behavior and his relationship. Eartha learned about his struggles when she returned home from one of her trips.
John William McDonald Separation
Eartha filed for divorce in July 1963. She told the court that John William McDonald had been “mentally cruel.” That means his actions and behavior made the home life very hard and stressful for her. The court listened to her and agreed.
The divorce was finalized in 1964. John did not come to the court hearing. So the judge gave Eartha full custody of their daughter, Kitt. John was ordered to pay $100 per month in child support, which was a legal requirement at the time.
Even though the marriage ended, Eartha stayed strong. She focused on raising Kitt and building her career. John, meanwhile, stepped away from public life. His part in Eartha’s story ended there, but his own journey still continued quietly.
John William McDonald Life After Divorce
After the divorce, John kept a low profile. He did not talk to the press or share much with the world. He got married two more times. One of his wives was Filipina, and from that marriage, he had a son named Chad.
Chad was eight years younger than Kitt. He was John’s second child. But unlike Kitt, Chad stayed away from the public eye. Not much is known about him or John’s later family life.
John William McDonald spent the rest of his life living quietly. He stayed out of the spotlight, away from fame and attention. Even though he once married a world-famous star, he never tried to use her fame for his own name.
John’s Final Years and Death
John William McDonald passed away on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles. He was 82 years old when he died. His cause of death was not shared with the public. His death happened three years before Eartha’s passing in 2008.
By the time he died, very few people remembered him. But those who knew his story understood that he had been through a lot. He was a war veteran, a father, and someone who struggled quietly with pain.
Even though John lived a private life, his name still comes up whenever people talk about Eartha Kitt’s love life and family. He was a part of her journey and the father of her only child.
John William McDonald’s Daughter
John’s daughter, Kitt McDonald, who now goes by Kitt Shapiro, was raised mostly by Eartha. But she still carried both her parents’ stories with her. She became her mother’s manager, friend, and biggest supporter.
In 2021, Kitt wrote a book called “Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White.” In the book, she shared many memories about growing up with her mom and what she knew about her dad.
She also created a lifestyle brand called Simply Eartha to honor her mother’s legacy. Kitt often speaks about love, family, and strength. Through her, both Eartha Kitt and John William McDonald continue to be remembered today.
Final Thoughts
John William McDonald was not a celebrity, but his story matters. He was a soldier, a husband, and a father. He lived through war, love, pain, and quiet years after fame.
His life was not perfect. He had struggles with health and addiction. His marriage didn’t last. But he left behind a daughter who grew up to share their family’s story with the world.
In the end, John William McDonald will always be known as the man who once stood beside Eartha Kitt — not just as her husband, but as the father of the woman who now carries both of their names forward.
(FAQs)
How old was John William McDonald when he died?
He was 82 years old when he passed away on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles, California.
Is John William McDonald still alive?
No, John William McDonald died in 2005. His death was not widely covered, but he is remembered for his connection to Eartha Kitt and his role as a father.
Was John William McDonald famous on social media?
No, he lived before social media became popular. John was a private person and stayed away from public life and platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
Who was John William McDonald married to?
He was married to Eartha Kitt from 1960 to 1964. After their divorce, he married two more times, but those relationships stayed out of the spotlight.
Did John William McDonald have children?
Yes, he had two children. His daughter with Eartha Kitt is Kitt McDonald, now known as Kitt Shapiro. He also had a son named Chad from another marriage.
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