Few people were aware that Jackie Witte, a tall, blonde with dark eyes, was Paul Newman’s first wife.
The union of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward is well known. The “golden couple” of Hollywood, who were married for 50 years, included the actor, producer, director, philanthropist, and race car driver.
He is famously remembered for one particular interview, in fact. He said that there was no reason to go out in search of a hamburger when he already had steak at home when asked if he would ever think about cheating on his wife.
Obviously, the steak he was alluding to in the interview was his wife Joanne Woodward, but she wasn’t the only steak he had. Jackie Witte was a woman who came before her by a long shot. The British news media learned about Newman’s “hidden married life.”
Who Was the First Wife of Paul Newman?
Paul Newman’s first wife’s name was Jacqueline “Jackie” Witte (McDonald). Her birthday is September 1929. From 1949 through 1958, they were married for nine years. Together, they had three kids: Stephanie Newman, Susan Kendall Newman, and Scott Newman. Long before Newman became well-known, the couple were married.
Who Is Jackie Witte Who Was Married First to Paul Newman?
Jackie Witte had dark eyes and was a tall, blonde woman. She was an ambitious actor in the years following World War II, exactly like her future spouse. Jackie, a young woman of 19, first met Navy veteran Newman, age 24.
She wasn’t even a college graduate at the time. They first connected while working on a summer theatre production in 1949 while both were residents of a tiny town.
They soon relocated to work for an Illinois Woodstock theatre group. Paul Newman and Jackie Witte were wed on December 27, 1949, making Jackie Witte the first Mrs. Newman.
Their first child together was a son named Scott Newman, born in 1950. Sadly, he passed away from a drug overdose in November 1978, ending his short life.
The couple’s second child, Susan Newman, was born in 1953, and their third and last child together, Stephanie Kendall Newman, was born one year later, in 1954.
There are several ideas as to what prompted the two to wed so rapidly. Although it’s a common assumption, their first child was born after they were married. Most people assume they were just two young individuals who shared the same objectives and were wildly in love.
Scott Witte’s mother, Jackie Witte, appeared to have to give up acting when she became pregnant. Around the same time, her father-in-law passed away, causing them to relocate to Cleveland in order to assist with running the family business.
The distance to New York at the time was not that great. Jackie Witte’s acting career was on hold, so she would take the train into the city to hunt for a modeling job. which led to her ultimate transition into a full-time model.
But just as her husband was deciding to leave Yale University, where he was pursuing a master’s degree in theatre, she became pregnant with her second child.
Newman had made the decision to continue performing for another year before giving up. But Jackie Witte found it challenging with Newman absent so frequently, especially given that she was expecting their second child.
Introducing Joanne Woodward
When her husband was eventually cast in a prominent role in the film Picnic alongside actress and model Joanne Woodward, things started to go south in their marriage. Scott, her two-year-old son, was prone to tantrums, and she was left to care for the two young children by herself.
Her husband, meanwhile, spent days and nights partying, networking, hunting for jobs, and acting in Manhattan. It was only natural that she began to harbor animosity for him. In addition to this, Newman was drawn to the young co-star, a 22-year-old Southern beauty.
It didn’t take long for Jackie Witte to lose interest in acting due to her constant stress and commitment to raising her three children. As performing was Newman’s life, this seriously strained their marriage.
A buddy recalls observing how their relationship began to change. “She is quiet and reserved, whereas Paul is outgoing. Like Joanne, he enjoys late-night meetings of authors and actors. Paul and Joanne were two very attractive individuals who shared a wide range of interests and a strong sense of companionship. But Jackie was not often seen.
Jackie Witte began to grow suspicious of Paul as he began to disappear from her life, and with good reason. Joanne Woodward was the lady her husband was spending the majority of his time with. They continued to be married, though, and appeared to be content, at least on the surface.
Paul Newman and Jackie Witte: Their Divorce
Paul’s Hollywood production Somebody Up There Like Me became a critical success. His career would take off after that. Sadly, though, their marriage took a turn for the worst.
Jackie Witte was resistant to Paul’s admission that he had fallen in love with someone else. She believed she was entitled to her husband’s successful job and their growing family.
They tragically married too young and throughout the years developed into very different persons. Despite her objections, Paul was determined to leave her.
Did Jackie Witte Ever Remarry?
Jackie Witte completely removed herself from the public eye following her divorce from Paul Newman. She reported led a quiet life and keep her personal details to herself – including any information surrounding whether or not she remarried.
Where Is Jackie Witte Now
Jackie Witte, Paul Newman’s first wife, reportedly died in 1993 at the age of 64.
What Happened to Jackie Witte
At the age of 64, Jackie Witte reportedly passed away in 1993. The reason of death and the location have not been made public, just like the other aspects of her life after her marriage to Paul Newman.
| Homepage | Click Hear |
