John William McDonald (1923-2005) was a real estate investor and Korean War veteran who married singer Eartha Kitt in 1960. They had one daughter, Kitt McDonald, before divorcing in 1964. He lived a private life focused on business until his death at age 82.
Most people who search for John William McDonald today want to know one thing: who was Eartha Kitt’s husband? The short answer is that McDonald was a real estate businessman and Korean War veteran who married one of America’s most iconic entertainers in 1960. Their union produced a daughter and ended in divorce four years later. But McDonald’s story extends beyond his famous marriage, touching on military service, business ventures, and a life largely lived away from the spotlight.
John William McDonald
John William McDonald was born in 1923, though exact details about his birthplace and early childhood remain scarce in public records. Unlike his future wife, whose rise to fame was well-documented, McDonald’s early years were typical of many American men of his generation. He grew up during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II, experiences that shaped his practical, business-minded approach to life.
Records describe him as a white American businessman who would later become known primarily through his connection to Eartha Kitt. Before that association, he built a modest life through military service and business dealings.
Early life and background
Documentation about McDonald’s childhood and family background is limited. What researchers know suggests he was raised in a middle-class environment that valued hard work and service. His education likely included high school, though whether he attended college before or after military service remains unclear in available sources.
Growing up in the 1930s and early 1940s meant witnessing economic hardship and then global conflict. These formative experiences influenced many young men of his generation to pursue stable careers in business or trade after completing their military obligations.
Military service and early career
McDonald served in the United States Army during the Korean War, a conflict that lasted from 1950 to 1953. This military experience was significant in his life, shaping both his character and his future career path. Veterans of the Korean War often returned home with discipline, a work ethic, and access to benefits like the GI Bill, which helped many transition into civilian careers.
After completing his service, McDonald entered the business world. The post-war economic boom created opportunities for ambitious veterans, and McDonald found his niche in real estate and investment.
Real estate investor & businessman
McDonald worked as an associate with a real estate investment company, focusing on property deals and business development. Real estate in the late 1950s and 1960s offered strong returns, particularly in urban markets where population growth and suburban expansion created demand.
His work involved identifying properties, negotiating deals, and managing investments. While he never became a household name in business circles, McDonald built a respectable career. Friends and associates remembered him as methodical and reliable, qualities that served him well in an industry built on relationships and trust.
The exact scope of his business success is difficult to measure today. Unlike modern business figures whose net worth and deals are documented online, McDonald operated in an era when privacy was easier to maintain. What’s clear is that he achieved enough financial stability to support a family and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Personal life — marriage to Eartha Kitt and family
On June 6, 1960, John William McDonald married Eartha Kitt in a ceremony that drew media attention. Kitt was already a star, known for her sultry voice, distinctive style, and roles in film and theater. The marriage between a famous entertainer and a businessman seemed unlikely to some observers, but the couple appeared committed to making it work.
Their union produced one daughter, Kitt McDonald, born in 1961. The child would later follow her mother into the entertainment industry, though she also carved out her own identity separate from her famous parent.
The marriage faced challenges from the start. Kitt’s career demanded travel and public appearances, while McDonald preferred a more private existence. Interracial marriages in the early 1960s also faced social scrutiny and legal restrictions in many states, though records don’t indicate this was a primary factor in their relationship struggles.
By 1964, the couple had divorced. The split was reportedly amicable, with both parents maintaining involvement in their daughter’s life. Neither McDonald nor Kitt spoke extensively about the marriage in later years, preferring to keep personal matters private.
Children and private life
Kitt McDonald, their daughter, grew up with dual exposure to her mother’s glamorous world and her father’s more grounded lifestyle. This balance likely influenced her own approach to life and career.
McDonald remained a devoted father after the divorce, though details about custody arrangements and his specific role in his daughter’s upbringing are not widely documented. He chose to maintain privacy, avoiding interviews and public appearances even as his ex-wife’s fame grew.
Public image, media mentions, and photographs
McDonald appears in historical photographs primarily from the early 1960s, often alongside Eartha Kitt at social events or family gatherings. Getty Images and other archival collections hold several photos from this period, showing a well-dressed man who looked comfortable but not entirely at ease in the spotlight.
Press coverage of McDonald was minimal except when connected to Kitt. Newspapers mentioned him in society columns and marriage announcements but rarely profiled him independently. This suited McDonald, who seemed to prefer letting his work speak for itself rather than cultivating a public persona.
Today, online searches for his name generate mostly articles about Kitt or their daughter. His own story has become a footnote in entertainment history, interesting primarily because of whom he married rather than what he accomplished.
Later years and death (or later life outcomes)
John William McDonald died in 2005 at the age of 82. According to Find a Grave records, he was buried in the United States, though the specific cemetery location varies across sources. He lived more than four decades after his divorce from Kitt, during which he apparently maintained his business interests and family connections.
Little information exists about whether he remarried or had other children. His later years were lived quietly, away from media attention. He was described by those who knew him as a private man who valued family and maintained dignity despite the public interest in his past marriage.
Legacy — why readers still search for him
People search for John William McDonald today because they’re researching Eartha Kitt. His name comes up in biographies, articles, and social media posts about the legendary entertainer. He represents a chapter in her life, a brief marriage that produced a daughter and then ended, leaving both parties to pursue separate paths.
For genealogy researchers and family history enthusiasts, McDonald’s story offers a glimpse into mid-century American life: military service, business ambition, and the complexities of marriage. His connection to a famous spouse makes him more searchable than most men of his generation, but his real legacy is probably more personal — as a father and a businessman who lived his life on his own terms.
Sources, verification notes, and further reading
Researching John William McDonald requires careful source verification. Primary sources include marriage records from 1960, military service records from the Korean War era, and obituaries from 2005. Find a Grave provides burial information, though researchers should cross-check details against other records.
Getty Images holds archival photographs from the early 1960s that document public appearances. Newspaper archives from that period contain marriage announcements and society column mentions. For the most reliable information, consult these primary sources rather than relying on celebrity gossip sites or social media posts.
Anyone researching McDonald should note that multiple people with similar names appear in public records. Verification is essential to avoid conflating different individuals.
