©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Eartha Kitt’s daughter Kitt Shapiro is on a mission. EXCLUSIVE: CELEB PHOTOGRAPHER SPILLS OLD HOLLYWOOD SECRETS, “She was close to Orson Welles, and she was like a sponge around him because she was so drawn to his intensity and his incredible knowledge of many different subjects,” explained Shapiro. "It showed she was OK hearing both sides of the story, and she never understood why others weren’t. Kitt keeps herself active on social media as she usually posts photos showing a couple of aspects of her life. She resided in Connecticut near her daughter and two grandchildren Justin and Rachel. Shapiro also noted Kitt was never afraid to voice her opinions – even if it landed her in hot water. “This was 1967, and there were no women of color at that time wearing skintight bodysuits, playing opposite a white male with sexual tension between them! Eartha Kitt’s only child created a lifestyle brand as a tribute to her late mother. It was more of a mentorship.”. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Unfortunately, the relationship didn't last. Performer Eartha Kitt stands with her daughter Kitt Shapiro at Donald Trump's 50th birthday celebration June 13, 1996 in New York City. Kitt's mother was a sharecropper of African-American and Cherokee Native American descent. At the moment, Kitt is 56 years old and she is very focused on her business. She was one of the first really beautiful black women – her, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge – who were allowed to be sexy without being stereotyped. Eartha Kitt's heart and wisdom, her daughter's designs. Kitt intends to keep her mother’s legacy alive through a lifestyle brand called Simply Eartha, whic… Eartha Kitt had encounters with Marlon Brando (1962), Sammy Davis Jr. (1954), Porfirio Rubirosa (1954), Jeff Chandler (1953) and Marion Meadows.. About. Kitt McDonald, the only child that the famous singer and actress Eartha Kitt had, took to Instagram to share a photo of her father John McDonald on Father's Day. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Now, her daughter, Kitt Shapiro, is introducing a new lifestyle brand called Simply Eartha. All rights reserved. The rules of replying: Be respectful. A post shared by accessories with a legacy (@simplyeartha). ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Now her daughter is speaking out about the loving relationship she shared with the screen icon. They soon had a daughter, Kitt McDonald. Eartha Mae Keith was born on a cotton plantation near the small town of North, South Carolina, or St. Matthews on January 17, 1927. For six decades, the American entertainer Eartha Kitt, who has died aged 81 of colon cancer, was a showbusiness force of nature. This is a space for friendly local discussions. An out-of-wedlock child, Eartha Kitt was born in the cotton fields of South Carolina. In the caption, Kitt wrote that the image was ‘one from the archives,’ adding the hashtag Father’s Day. Eartha Kitt was born in North, South Carolina, to a single mother in the 1920s. Simply Eartha is a lifestyle brand of 'accessories with a legacy', created by Kitt Shapiro as a tribute to her legendary mother. “The letters were from both sides of the aisle, some attacking her and telling her what a horrible American and person she was. The daughter of singer Eartha Kitt has revealed that she never got over not knowing who her white father was. Simply Eartha is an accessories brand designed by Kitt Shapiro, as a tribute to her mother, the legendary entertainer, Eartha … American Actress Eartha Kitt was born Eartha Mae Keith on 17th January, 1927 in Columbia, South Carolina, USA and passed away on 25th Dec 2008 Weston, Connecticut, USA aged 81. My parents told me that when I was born, people came to the nursery in the hospital and would get into arguments when they saw that Eartha Kitts baby was a pudgy, white, girl. You may request that your data not be shared with third parties here: White woman in Target goes on racist tirade at 3 black women over conversation about Eartha Kitt, Tika Sumpter proudly poses with her mini-me, showing off how much they look alike, T.I.shares photo with his 3 growing sons, showing their uncanny resemblance in recent photo, Tika Sumpter's fiancé shares photo with their baby daughter enjoying a day at the beach, Remember Grady’s girlfriend Dolly from 'Sanford and Son'? Eartha actually passed away on Christmas Day in 2008. Kitt McDonald, Self: All by Myself. Shapiro revealed how thrilled Kitt was to become feisty feline Catwoman opposite Adam West in the “Batman” series from 1967 until 1968 – a role Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether previously took on. Eartha Kitt’s Words on Backlash for Marrying Interracially in the 60s Still Ring True Today by Black Girl With Long Hair • Nov 9, 2015 A quote from legendary actress Eartha Kitt is circulating on social media and sparking discussion on black women, black men and interracial marriage. As Celebritist previously reported, Kitt has been facing backlash pretty much her entire life due to the fact that she doesn't look like Eartha, who was black. Eartha Kitt with daughter Kitt Shapiro and future son-in-law Alan Rothschild are all smiles at the Denim and Diamonds Gala at Planet Hollywood benefiting the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research. The New York Times reported Kitt, who began performing in the late ‘40s as a dancer in New York, went on to achieve success in film, television, music and even Broadway. “I was about nine years old when she played Catwoman on ‘Batman’ and that was a really big deal,” explained Shapiro. She was previously married to Charles Lawrence Shapiro. "She knew the importance of the role and she was proud of it. When Kitt passed away, it was Shapiro who was by her side. One of the most famous and visited posts she has shared is titled Why Don’t You Look More Like Your Mother? It’s been nearly 10 years since Hollywood star Eartha Kitt died on Christmas day in 2008 at age 81 from colon cancer. Her mother Annie Mae Keith was of Cherokee and Africandescent. (Photo by Lipnitzki/Roger Viollet/Getty Images) (Lipnitzki/Roger Viollet). Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Her relationship with James Dean was another one the press assumed was romantic, but they were just dear friends as well," said Shapiro. ... Kitt’s daughter, it’s the side of her mother the public didn’t see that was the most desirable. Her only daughter, Kitt Shapiro, made sure she let the world know. Feb 16, 2014 - By POLLY ANDERSON, AP posted: 4 MINUTES AGO on PopEater NEW YORK (Dec. 25) – Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has That was a difficult period for her, but she always felt that we’re all entitled to our own voices and it was OK to speak out and be heard.”. Eartha Kitt, star of TV, film, music and stage, died Christmas Day 2008 of colon cancer at the age of 81. However, the famous singer never knew it as she died without knowing the identity of her father, reported The Guardian. After she passed, I turned to my husband and said, ‘I don’t know who’s waiting for her on the other side but, boy, I hope they’re prepared because they’re getting an unwilling participant!”, Shapiro added, “Even through my tears, I was able to smile because that was one of the gifts that she left me – the ability to find laughter and joy even in difficult times.”. Eartha Kitt's daughter shares photo with her white father, showing off their uncanny resemblance June 20, 2018 | by Edduin Carvajal Kitt McDonald, the only child that the famous singer and actress Eartha Kitt had, took to Instagram to share a photo of her father John McDonald on Father's Day. One of them showed Kitt’s firstborn, Jason Shapiro. Market data provided by Factset. It’s been nearly 10 years since Hollywood star Eartha Kitt died on Christmas day in 2008 at age 81 from colon cancer. One of the reasons why Kitt was born white (apart from the color of her father) is that Eartha’s father was also white. 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Eartha had asked for her baby daughter, 31/2-month-old, Kitt McDonald, to be flown to London from Los Angeles, and was at London Airport early this morning to meet her when she arrived in the company of Eartha's sister-in-law, Miss Norene McDonald Ms. Kitt was ostracized at an early age because of her mixed-race heritage. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Late Eartha Kitt's only daughter Kitt Shapiro shared a sweet throwback photo of herself and the iconic singer in honor of her 94th heavenly birthday. Legendary singer and actress Eartha Kitt died 13 years ago, but her memory lives on. Some were very racist; others were incredibly supportive. Kitt McDonald was born on November 26, 1961 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Eartha took her show all over the world, and along for the ride, was her daughter Kitt, who Eartha took everywhere. Her best-known songs included ‘C’est si bon,’ ‘Santa Baby,’ and ‘I Want to Be Evil.’ She continued to perform in … She really is a part of a history. When she was closing up her mother’s Connecticut home, Kitt Shapiro, the only child of the late, legendary entertainer Eartha Kitt, kept coming across scraps of paper with handwritten saying… In 2007, Kitt celebrated her 80th birthday with a concert at Carnegie Hall titled “Eartha Kitt and Friends.” On December 25, 2008, the world mourned the loss of the true legend when Kitt passed away from colon cancer at the age of 81. It does take a village, but I do think she helped blaze a trail.”. Though she had little knowledge of her father, it was reported that he was a son of the owner of the farm where she had been born, and that Kitt was conceived by rape. We and other data collection technologies to provide the best experience for our customers. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. She passed on just a month shy of her 82nd birthday, and it couldn’t have been a sadder day … Her 1953 recording of "Santa Baby" is still a favorite today. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Eartha Kitt, born Eartha Mae Keith on January 17, 1927 in South Carolina was an American singer and dancer who became an international star.She was noted for her sultry vocal style and slinky beauty and achieved success as a dramatic stage and film actress. According to The New York Times, the couple divorced in 1963, with Kitt leaving McDonald on grounds of what was then described as "mental cruelty." In the photo, both of them were wearing sunglasses and black jackets in what appeared to be a very sunny day. One of Kitt’s Instagram followers took to the comment section to ask her if John was still alive, to what she replied that he had died 14 years ago. Eartha Kitt became popular in Paris as a nightclub singer, then returned to the United States to appear in films and on Broadway. She could sense his vulnerability and they shared a kinship. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Kacey Musgraves joins celeb pile-on against Ted Cruz, hawks T-shirts to raise storm-relief cash, Larry King's widow Shawn King files to be TV icon's estate administrator: report, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry will no longer serve as patrons for some organizations, Kanye West believes presidential run 'cost him his marriage' to Kim Kardashian: report, Heidi Montag shuts down critics: 'I refuse to be body shamed’, Kourtney Kardashian shares own lingerie pic after she ‘wasn't invited to’ photoshoot with her sisters. Eartha Kitt's daughter has revealed that the singer died without knowing the identity of her white father, after being denied the truth by officials in the American Deep South. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She has been married to Allan Bruce Rothschild since May 26, 2002. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. At home, on … Kitt’s physical features are more similar to her white father. American actor and director Orson Welles (1915 - 1985) on stage as Faustus, with Eartha Kitt (1927 - 2008) , as Helen of Troy , in 'Time Runs...', Welles' version of the Faust legend, at the Théâtre des Mathurins in Paris, June 1950. Legal Statement. “My mother didn’t leave this earth quietly,” recalled Shapiro. She's now 99 & stuns with her looks. “She died screaming at the top of her lungs on Christmas Day in 2008, which I felt was symbolic of her strong survival instinct and how she never gave up. In the photo, a very young Kitt was seen wearing a blue and white dress and a white headband while playing next to John, who wore black pants and matching shirt. The only daughter of legendary entertainer Eartha Kitt has opened up about the last moments she shared with the star before her tragic death on Christmas Day (25Dec08), aged 81. A mission we can all appreciate. or redistributed. Eartha Kitt's Daughter and Oprah TV Celebrity to Headline Connecticut's First Beauty Expo Benefit. https://www.simplyeartha.comSo Mother's Day memories and stories that I would love to share with you. Late singer and actress Eartha Kitt's only daughter Kitt Shapiro pays tribute to her famous mom while sharing a rare throwback photo in a heartwarming Valentine's Day post. She wasn’t ever going to let go easily. His death was something she did not really get over.”. The couple did have a daughter, Kitt, whom Eartha called "my greatest joy". Kitt's daughter… *According to her daughter, Eartha Kitt went to her grave at 81 without knowing the identity of her white father; due to officials in the American Deep South keeping it a secret from her. Legal Statement. “People often thought they were lovers, but she said they never were. Every mother-daughter relationship is special, and has its own rhythms, but when your mother is an international celebrity, it can be even more complicated. She would have been 94 years old today. “I recently discovered boxes of letters she received after she spoke in 1968 at the White House and aired her views of the Vietnam War,” said Shapiro. Daniela Lavender Is Ben Kingsley's Much Younger 4th Wife — Who Are His Other Spouses? However, Eartha Kitt did get married in 1960 to Bill McDonald, a Korean war veteran and accountant. "She called him Jamie, and she was very protective of him. Kitt McDonald Shapiro, who wrote a personal essay about her famous mother that was published by Closer Weekly Monday described how Kitt easily befriended some of the most recognizable men in Hollywood, all thanks to her magnetic personality. Market data provided by Factset. However, there was one role that completely changed her life. Still, Kitt’s political views wouldn’t prevent her from enjoying a lasting Hollywood career, as well as a close bond with her daughter and grandchildren. In it, she did her best to set clear why she is so physically different from her mother. She is most remembered for Catwoman. Jillian Mueller Is a 25-Year-Old Aspiring Actress — What to Know about 'The Crew' Star. It sells different types of items, including bracelets, mugs, blankets, and shirts. All rights reserved. Her … Eartha Kitt, American singer and dancer noted for her sultry vocal style and slinky beauty who also achieved success as a dramatic stage and film actress. When Eartha passed away, Kitt started her own business called Simply Eartha. In a 2013 biography, British journalist John Williams claimed that Kitt's father was a white man, a local doctor named Daniel Sturkie. Dean, who’s still recognized by fans for his role as rebellious Jim Stark in 1955’s “Rebel Without a Cause” met his death that same year at age 24 from a car crash. But her mom wasn't fit to raise a child and abandoned Kitt, leaving her with distant relatives. Welles wasn’t the only movie star to be impressed by Kitt. Apart for her business, Kitt also runs a blog where she talks about her mother and the love they had for each other. It was love all through the weekend as people all over the world took out time to celebrate their partners through romantic gestures that were well-documented on social media.