John William McDonald was an American businessman and real estate investor. He is popularly known as Eartha Kitt’s ex-husband. Kitt was an American singer, actress, comedian, dancer, and activist. Her ex-spouse, John, was a war veteran who defended America in the Korean War.

Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- John William McDonald passed away on May 12, 2005, at the age of 82 in Los Angeles, California.
- Many widely recognise him as a Korean War veteran and real estate investor.
- He married singer and actress Eartha Kitt in June 1960 and divorced in 1964.
- The ex-couple welcomed a daughter, Kitt McDonald Shapiro, in 1961.
Profile summary
|
Real name |
John William McDonald |
|
Nickname |
Bill McDonald |
|
Gender |
Male |
|
Date of birth |
12 April 1923 |
|
Date of death |
12 May 2005 |
|
Zodiac sign |
Aries |
|
Place of birth |
Los Angeles, California, United States |
|
Nationality |
American |
|
Ethnicity |
White |
|
Religion |
Christianity |
|
Sexuality |
Straight |
|
Height in inches |
5’4″ |
|
Height in centimetres |
163 |
|
Hair colour |
Light brown |
|
Eye colour |
Brown |
|
Marital status |
Divorced |
|
Ex-spouse |
Eartha Kitt |
|
Children |
1 |
|
Profession |
Businessman, real estate investor |

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John William McDonald’s biography
The American entrepreneur was born on 12 April 1923 in Los Angeles, California, United States. He is an American national of white ethnicity with German-Irish roots.
Is John William McDonald still alive?
The war veteran passed away on 12 May 2005 at the age of 82 years in Los Angeles, California, United States. His ex-wife, Eartha, passed away from colon cancer three years later, on 25 December 2008, in Weston, Connecticut, United States.

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Career
John William McDonald was a businessman and a real estate investor. He is widely known as Eartha Kitt’s ex-husband. John participated in defending America in the Korean War and retired from the US Army after the war.
What is John William McDonald’s net worth?
The late American real estate investor’s net worth remains a mystery. However, according to Celebrity Net Worth, his ex-wife Eartha Kitt’s alleged net worth at death was around $4 million.
John William McDonald and Eartha Kitt’s relationship
The veteran soldier became Eartha Kitt’s husband on 6 July 1960. The two met through a mutual friend, Bob Dix, in 1957 in Las Vegas. Kitt’s career was on the rise at the time while John was still a student. Before dating John, the American singer was romantically linked with famous people like Orson Welles, Arthur Loew Jr., Charles Revson, and John Barry Ryan III.
One year into their marriage, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Kitt McDonald, popularly known as Kitt Shapiro. Kitt was born on 26 November 1961 and was baptised in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Source: Getty Images
John William and Eartha Kitt’s union did not last long, and they separated after four years. The couple’s divorce was finalised in 1964. Since their daughter was two years old, John had to pay $100 monthly for child support.
What happened to John William McDonald?

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John retired from the US Army after the Korean War because he sustained severe injuries. As such, he underwent 25 surgeries before becoming a businessman and a real estate investor.
FAQs
- Who is John William McDonald? He was an American entrepreneur and real estate investor.
- What was John William McDonald’s age? The war veteran was reportedly 82 years old when he passed away in 2005.
- Why is John William McDonald famous? He is widely known as Eartha Kitt’s ex-husband.
- Who was Eartha Kitt? She was a Hollywood actress, singer, comedian and activist.
- How long was Eartha Kitt married to John McDonald? The duo was married for about four years, from 1960 to 1964.
- Why did Eartha Kitt leave her husband? According to the divorce papers filed, Eartha cited “mental cruelty” as the reason for the separation. The singer won the case and was granted $100 monthly as child support from John.
- Who is John William McDonald’s daughter? Kitt McDonald, also known by many as Kitt Shapiro, is John William McDonald’s daughter. She was born on 26 November 1961.

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John William McDonald was an American businessman who became a household name due to his connection to Eartha Kitt, a renowned singer, actress, comedian, and activist. They married and had a daughter called Kitt McDonald. John lived a relatively private life out of the public eye after their divorce, until his death.
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Despite a brief encounter with her father, Gibb’s story of longing and connection to her family’s musical legacy has captivated fans, revealing a life defined by both mystery and resilience.
Source: Legit.ng







