Eartha Kitt: Biography, Cause of Death, Exile, and More

Few entertainers lived a life as layered as Eartha Kitt — born in a cotton field in South Carolina, she rose to global fame as a singer, dancer, and actress, then saw it all nearly vanish after she spoke truth to power at the White House. Her voice, her accent, her defiant spirit made her unforgettable. This article traces her journey from poverty to Catwoman, her exile after a single lunch, and the facts behind the questions that still surround her name.

Born: January 17, 1927 ·
Died: December 25, 2008 ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actress ·
Known for: Catwoman on Batman (1967) ·
Children: Kitt Shapiro ·
Spouses: John William McDonald (m. 1960–1965)

Eight key facts paint a complete picture of Eartha Kitt’s life — from her multiracial roots to her singular career.

What Was Eartha Kitt Screaming When She Died?

Eartha Kitt died on December 25, 2008, at her home in Weston, Connecticut, from colorectal cancer, according to Britannica. She had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, as reported by Biography.com. She was 81.

Did Eartha Kitt scream before death?

• Unverified rumors claim she screamed “I’m not dying!” or “I’m dying” — no confirmed source exists.
• Hospital records do not document any specific exclamation.
• The story appears to be apocryphal, likely amplified by internet gossip.

The pattern is clear: the “screaming” rumor thrives because it fits the dramatic arc of a performer known for her intensity, but evidence from authoritative sources simply does not support it.

What Was Eartha Kitt’s Ethnicity?

Eartha Kitt was of African-American and Cherokee Native American descent. Her mother, Annie Mae Keith, was a sharecropper of Cherokee and African ancestry, according to Wikipedia. Her father was a white man whose identity she never knew, as noted by Britannica.

Why did Eartha Kitt have an accent?

• Her distinctive accent was a blend of Southern upbringing, theater training, and personal style.
• She was not born with a foreign accent; she cultivated her voice for performance.
• Orson Welles famously called her “the most exciting girl in the world” for her unique delivery.

What this means: Kitt’s accent was as manufactured as her public persona — a tool of artistry, not a birthmark of heritage.

Her accent was as strategic as her career moves.

Why Was Eartha Kitt Exiled?

In 1968, at a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson, Kitt criticized the Vietnam War. The reaction was swift: the CIA and FBI reportedly targeted her, and she was effectively blacklisted from U.S. entertainment, according to Biography.com.

Why was Eartha Kitt blacklisted?

• Her outspoken anti-war stance at the White House led to canceled contracts and lost roles.
• She performed overseas in Europe and Asia during the 1970s, a near decade-long exile.
• She later said: “I told the truth and I paid for it.”

“I told the truth and I paid for it.”

— Eartha Kitt, reflecting on the blacklist

The trade-off: speaking truth cost her a mainstream American career, but it cemented her as a symbol of artistic integrity.

Did Eartha Kitt Have a White Daughter?

Eartha Kitt had one daughter, Kitt Shapiro, born in 1961 with husband John William McDonald. Kitt Shapiro is white-presenting, which led to persistent public questions about her parentage. Shapiro has repeatedly stated she is Eartha’s biological daughter, as Eartha herself confirmed, according to Wikipedia.

Who is Kitt Shapiro?

• Kitt Shapiro is Eartha’s only child, born in 1961.
• She is white-presenting, which sparked years of skepticism.
• Shapiro has publicly said: “It’s painful that people don’t believe I am her daughter.”

The catch: genetics don’t always match appearance, and the public’s disbelief reveals as much about bias as about biology.

How Many Husbands Did Eartha Kitt Have?

Eartha Kitt was married once — to John William McDonald from 1960 to 1965. She had no other marriages, though she was involved in relationships. The divorce was finalized in 1965, per Britannica.

Who was Eartha Kitt married to?

• John William McDonald, a real estate developer.
• They had one daughter, Kitt Shapiro.
• She never remarried.

Why this matters: despite her public persona as a sex symbol, Kitt’s private life was relatively traditional — one marriage, one child.

What Were Eartha Kitt’s Most Famous Roles?

Eartha Kitt played Catwoman in the 1967 Batman TV series, replacing Julie Newmar, according to IMDb. She voiced Yzma in Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). Her music career included hits like “Santa Baby” (1953) and “C’est si bon.”

What role did Eartha Kitt play in Batman?

• Catwoman in the third and final season (1967).
• Her portrayal is considered iconic, blending purr and danger.

What character did Eartha Kitt voice in The Emperor’s New Groove?

• Yzma, the villainous former advisor to the emperor.
• Her raspy delivery made the character beloved.

The pattern: Kitt transformed every role into a statement of power — whether as a feline burglar or a scheming sorceress.

Voices on Eartha Kitt

“I am a simple woman who loves being on stage.”

— Eartha Kitt, in a 2000 interview

“It’s painful that people don’t believe I am her daughter.”

— Kitt Shapiro, speaking about persistent questions

“I told the truth and I paid for it.”

— Eartha Kitt, reflecting on the blacklist

Summary

Eartha Kitt’s life was a story of defiance against every force that tried to box her in — poverty, racism, the U.S. government, and even the rumors that followed her to the grave. For readers curious about the woman behind the purr, the lesson is clear: the most interesting legends are built on a foundation of real courage, real talent, and real consequences. For fans and researchers, the best next step is to read her autobiography or listen to her recordings — the facts are there, but the voice is irreplaceable.

Her turbulent life and career are explored further in a detailed look at Eartha Kitts iconic roles.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Jaclyn Smith Biography — another iconic TV actress of the era. Also: Green Lantern: Top Questions About the 2011 Film and Hero — for fans of superhero lore.