John William McDonald was an American businessman and Korean War veteran born April 12, 1923, in Los Angeles. He married legendary entertainer Eartha Kitt in 1960, and they had one daughter, Kitt Shapiro, before divorcing in 1964. He died May 12, 2005, at age 82.
Early Life and Military Service
Background and Education
John William McDonald was born on April 12, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. He came from a German-Irish American family and grew up in a relatively prosperous household during the interwar period.
McDonald studied accounting at the University of Southern California. His education laid the foundation for his later career in business and real estate investment. Friends and family knew him as “Bill,” a nickname that followed him throughout his life.
Korean War Experience and Injuries
McDonald served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His military service would shape the rest of his life in ways he could not have anticipated.
He sustained severe injuries from grenade explosions during combat. The injuries required 25 surgeries over an extended recovery period. After his discharge from the army due to these injuries, McDonald returned to civilian life facing both physical and emotional challenges.
The pain from his war wounds led to a dependency on opioids, prescribed to manage his chronic discomfort. This addiction would later impact his personal relationships and family life.
Career in Real Estate and Accounting
After returning from Korea, McDonald focused on building a professional career. He worked as an associate in a real estate investment company, applying his accounting education to property transactions and business management.
McDonald maintained a relatively low profile in the Los Angeles business community. Unlike many who sought attention in the entertainment capital, he preferred to work behind the scenes. His real estate work provided financial stability, though he never achieved the same level of fame as his future wife.
The exact details of his business ventures remain limited in public records. He appears to have specialized in residential and commercial property investments throughout Southern California during the 1950s and 1960s.
Meeting and Marrying Eartha Kitt
The Introduction Through Bob Dix
McDonald and Eartha Kitt first met in 1957 through their mutual friend, Bob Dix. At the time, McDonald was dating a woman named Sandy following his military discharge.
The three became a close-knit group, with Kitt initially developing feelings for Dix, who was not ready for a committed relationship. When Dix pursued an acting career, McDonald and Kitt spent more time together, bonding over their respective heartbreaks.
Their friendship slowly transformed into romance. Both had experienced disappointment in love, and this shared understanding drew them closer. By 1960, they decided to marry.
An Interracial Marriage in 1960
Eartha Kitt and John William McDonald married on June 9, 1960. The wedding announcement shocked his sister, reflecting the social climate of the era.
They held a small, intimate ceremony on a Thursday with approximately 20 guests. Bob Dix declined to serve as best man, so Stan Kane, the ex-husband of one of the wedding party, filled the role. Marjorie Meade, Kitt’s best friend, served as maid of honor.
Their interracial marriage drew public attention in 1960 America, when such unions remained controversial in many states. California had only recently repealed its anti-miscegenation laws. Despite societal pressures, the couple moved forward with their commitment.
Fatherhood and Family Life
Their daughter, Kitt McDonald, was born on November 26, 1961, at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. Both parents agreed to raise her Catholic, and she was baptized at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
The couple described their newborn as resembling a beautiful Hindi princess. Kitt Shapiro, as she later became known after her mother’s remarriage, grew up with fair skin and blonde hair, leading some to question her parentage despite being the biological child of both parents.
Eartha Kitt maintained a demanding performance schedule throughout their marriage. She often traveled for concerts and theatrical productions, leaving McDonald at home to manage household responsibilities. The arrangement created tension as McDonald struggled with his war injuries and pain management.
Marriage Struggles and Divorce
The Impact of Addiction
McDonald had developed an addiction to opioids to manage pain from his grenade-related injuries. His addiction and Kitt’s constant work trips created a breach in the marriage.
The couple faced challenges that many interracial families of the era encountered, but substance abuse proved more damaging than external prejudice. Kitt felt increasingly like the head of the family, an independent career woman with no patience for destructive behavior.
Divorce Proceedings and Child Support
The couple separated on July 1, 1963. Kitt filed for divorce citing “mental cruelty” in the documents and requested child support.
McDonald did not appear in court for the divorce proceedings. The divorce was finalized on March 26, 1964. The judge ordered McDonald to pay $100 monthly in child support for their two-year-old daughter.
Despite the divorce, McDonald maintained contact with his daughter throughout her childhood. Kitt Shapiro has spoken publicly about her relationship with both parents, acknowledging the complexities of their family dynamic.
Life After Eartha Kitt
Following his divorce from Kitt, McDonald remarried twice. His first remarriage was to a Filipina woman, though limited details about this marriage exist in public records.
From his second remarriage, McDonald had a son named Chad, who is eight years younger than Kitt Shapiro. This means Chad was likely born in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
McDonald continued working in real estate throughout these decades. He maintained a private life, avoiding the spotlight that continued to follow his ex-wife’s successful entertainment career. While Kitt performed on stages worldwide and later became the voice of Yzma in Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove,” McDonald focused on his business and raising his son.
Death and Legacy
John William McDonald passed away on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles at the age of 82. His death was quiet and private, much like his life after divorce. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
His burial location remains unknown to the public. This peaceful exit contrasts sharply with the public mourning that followed his ex-wife’s death three years later.
Eartha Kitt died from colon cancer on December 25, 2008, in Weston, Connecticut. By then, McDonald had been gone for three years, having witnessed his daughter’s success as a businesswoman and the birth of his grandchildren.
McDonald’s net worth at death remains undisclosed. Unlike Kitt, whose estate was valued at approximately $4 million, McDonald kept his financial details private. His legacy lives on through his daughter and grandchildren, who continue to honor both parents’ memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John William McDonald?
John William McDonald was an American businessman, real estate investor, and Korean War veteran who gained recognition as Eartha Kitt’s ex-husband.
When did John William McDonald marry Eartha Kitt?
McDonald married entertainer Eartha Kitt on June 9, 1960, when both were 30 years old.
Why did Eartha Kitt divorce John William McDonald?
Kitt filed for divorce citing “mental cruelty” as the reason, with the marriage ending in 1964 after four years.
Who is John William McDonald’s daughter?
His daughter is Kitt McDonald, now known as Kitt Shapiro, who was born on November 26, 1961.
When did John William McDonald die?
McDonald died on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles at age 82, three years before his ex-wife’s death.
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