Jackie Witte was an actress and model popularly known as the ex-wife of the famous American actor, film director, racing driver, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Paul Newman. Because of her husband, she has become a topic of interest to the public. Here are all the details about her, like Jackie Witte’s early life, career, husband, and other things.
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Profile Summary
| Full Name | Jacqueline Emily Witte |
| Date of Birth | September 15, 1929 |
| Age | 64 (At the time of death) |
| Death Date | May 19, 1994 |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Paul Newman (December 27, 1949 – January 28, 1958) |
| Children | 3 |
Early Life & Education
Jackie Witte, whose full name is Jacqueline Emily Witte, was born in Cook County, Illinois, on September 15, 1929. Her parents were Frank Theophilus Witte and Irene E. Telgman. Her father owned a meat market.
Regarding her education, she attended Beloit High School in Beloit, Wisconsin, where she graduated in 1947. After high school, she went to college, where she met and fell in love with her ex-husband while doing summer stage work in 1949. Witte was 19 years old, while Paul Newman was 24 and a Navy Veteran.
She struggled to build a career in the entertainment industry while pursuing education. She was actively involved in the local theatre scene in Beloit.
Professional Life
Jackie Witte was an ambitious performer and artiste who hoped to advance in the entertainment industry. However, she was primarily involved in the local theatre scene and never pursued a professional career.
After Marriage, Her decision to remain a housewife and care for the family while her husband, Paul Newman, struggled to build a flourishing career in the industry influenced this.
According to IMDb, Witte’s only TV acting credit is from a 2022 posthumous self-interview known as The Last Movie Stars. On the other hand, her ex-husband wildly succeeded in the entertainment industry.
He received several awards, such as a BAFTA Award, an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Silver Bear, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Married Life
Jackie Whitte met the American actor in 1949 while on summer stage work. Jackie was 19, and Paul, a Navy veteran, was 24. They married on December 27, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio. The couple has three children. Scott (1950), Susan Kendall (1953), and Stephanie (1954).
Their son Scott, who appeared in films like “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “Breakheart Pass” (1975), and “Fraternity Row” (197 ), died in November 1978 from a drug overdose. In memory of his son, His father opened a center known as the “Scott Newman Center” for Drug Abuse Prevention.
Their relationship ended because of an extramarital affair. Her former husband, Paul, had begun a romantic relationship with actress Joanne Woodward. After Newman met actress Joanne Woodward in 1953 while working on Broadway for the film “Picnic”, he became increasingly absent from home and his semi-stay-at-home wife.
He was always out in Manhattan working, and the affair was becoming more public, eventually leading Newman to ask Jackie for a divorce. The couple divorced nine years later, on January 28, 1958, in New York City, and Paul married Woodward in the same year.
Further, There is no report of Jackie Witte’s re-marriage. After the divorce, she completely went off the grid.
Jackie Witte Death
Jackie Witte disappeared from the mainstream media after her failed marriage and focused more on caring for her children. She died on May 19, 1994, in New York, USA. She lived until 1994, meaning Jackie Witte was 64 when she died.
Information about the cause of her death and where it happened have not been shared with the public. While her ex-husband Newman died of lung cancer on September 26, 2008.