Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were an item for their long happy marriage, but did you know it wasn’t Paul Newman’s first marriage?
Paul Newman was married to an aspiring young artist called Jackie Witte. They married at a very young age and had three children together.
This article delves into the life of Paul Newman’s first wife Jackie Witte. It explores her life, career, children, as well as her relationship with Paul Newman.
Jackie Witte’s Early Life
Jacquline Emilie Witte was born in September 1929 in the USA. Unfortunately, nothing more is known about her early life and childhood.
She was never into the limelight, except for when she was married to Paul Newman. Whatever happened in her life before and after that marriage remains private.
Jackie Witte and Paul Newman
Upon his return from World War II, Paul Newman followed his passion to pursue a career in acting. That’s when he met Jackie over summer stage work. They spent too much time together, which brought them close.
The years that followed the war were crazy for the young lovers. That made them decide to tie the knot in December 1949. By that time, Paul was 24, and Jackie was 19 and still a college student.
Rumor has it that Jackie and Paul got married fast because she was pregnant, but that’s not true. They were just too madly in love to wait.
Jackie and Paul’s Marriage
The young couple had a common dream, to become famous Hollywood stars. However, fate has another opinion. Shortly after their marriage, Jackie was pregnant with her first child, who was born in 1950.
Her pregnancy made her put her acting career on hold. At the same time, her father-in-law died, compelling the couple to move to Cleveland to take care of the family business.
During that time, Jackie kept looking for modeling jobs in New York until she did it full-time. However, she got pregnant with her second child.
While working on his family business, Paul decided to get a master’s degree in Theater, but he called it quits and gave himself another year to follow his dream of acting. He spent too much time in Manhattan, where he landed Broadway roles.
It worked out for Paul, and he began making a name in Broadway and Hollywood afterward. That created a huge gap between the young couple. They grew apart; Jackie became a full-time mother while Paul rose to fame.
The Other Woman in Jackie Witte’s Life
Jackie focused on her family, leaving her husband to build an entertainment career. Little did she know that her husband was cheating on her. By 1953, he was spending time with the young southern beauty Joanne Woodward.
Shortly afterward, Paul set his mind on leaving his little family. Even the birth of his third child in 1954 didn’t stop him. He found the courage to tell Jackie that he wanted a divorce, but she didn’t agree without a fight.
Jackie believed that her family life and sacrifices were worth fighting for. However, when she heard that Joanne was pregnant with her husband’s child, she let go. In 1958, Paul and Jackie’s marriage ended. Later the same year, Paul married Joanne Woodward to start a long happy marriage.
Perhaps, Jackie and Paul separated because they got married before maturing. On the other hand, Paul and Joanne were a lot more mature, which made them more successful.
Jackie Witte’s Children
Jackie Witte had three children with Paul Newman. She raised them away from the limelight after the divorce. Ironically, two of them followed their father’s footsteps and became actors.
Scott Newman
Scott Newman is Jackie and Paul’s firstborn and only son. He was born on September 23, 1950.
Although his mother took him away from the spotlight when he was eight, he grew up with a passion for acting. He starred in movies, such as The Towering Inferno (1974), The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), and S.W.A.T. (1975).
Unfortunately, his prosperous acting career was cut short. He died due to a substance overdose in 1978. That was a heartbreaking accident that haunted Paul Newman for the rest of his life.
Susan Kendall Newman
Susan Kendall Newman was born in 1953. She starred in two movies, I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) and A Wedding (1978).
Later, she quit acting and turned to producing. Her career as a producer includes films such as The Shadow Box (1980), Candida (1983), and The Drug-Free Kids: a Parent’s Guide (1988).
Stephanie Newman
Stephanie is Jackie’s third and youngest child. She was born in 1954 around the time her parents’ marriage began to go south.
She’s the only one of Jackie’s kids who refrains from the spotlight. She doesn’t have any media presence. Thus, there isn’t much information about her. All we know is that she now lives in New York.
Jackie Witte’s Career
The young Jackie Witte pursued a career as an aspiring actress before marrying Paul Newman. However, it was a dream deferred, as she had to give up on her acting career to take care of her three children.
That’s why Jackie hasn’t made it to Hollywood. She didn’t act in any well-known movies. Instead, she worked as a model in New York during her short-lived marriage. Again, she didn’t have a glamorous modeling career.
Jackie Witte’s Death
In 1993, Jackie Witte died at the age of 64. She died away from the spotlight. Therefore, there’s no report about the cause of her death.
In fact, nothing much is known about her life between 1958 and 1993. After completely giving up on her acting pursuits, she lived and died away from the public eye.
Conclusion
Jackie Witte is Paul Newman’s first wife. They got married young and had three children together. However, she had to give up her acting career to raise her kids.
Meanwhile, Paul Newman rose to fame and decided to break the marriage. Upon separation, Jackie stepped out of the spotlight with her three children.
Jackie died in 1993 when she was 64. However, no one knows the circumstances of her death. Once an aspiring actress, Jackie Witte lived and died as a young mother with a dream deferred.
