Who Was Jackie Witte? Inside Her Life With Paul Newman Wife

Jackie Witte is not a name many people hear every day. But once, she was a very important part of the life of Hollywood star Paul Newman.

She was Paul Newman’s first wife. Their love story started before Paul became famous. They were both young, full of dreams, and wanted to act. But as time passed, things changed. Their love ended quietly, and Jackie stayed away from the public eye.

In this article, we will explore Jackie Witte’s life. We’ll look at who she was, how she met Paul Newman, how their life started together, and what happened during their early years as a couple. So let’s get started.

Jacqueline Emily Witte Profile Summary

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Jacqueline Emily Witte
Known For	First wife of actor Paul Newman
Date of Birth	September 1929
Place of Birth	United States
Date of Death	1994
Age at Death	64 years old
Nationality	American
Profession	Actress, Model
Marital Status	Divorced
Ex-Husband	Paul Newman
Children	3 – Scott, Susan Kendall, Stephanie
Famous For	Early marriage to Paul Newman
Did She Remarry?	No public record of remarriage
Lived After Divorce	Quiet and private life until her death

Who Is Jackie Witte?

Jackie Witte was an American actress and model who became known as the first wife of Paul Newman. She was with him before fame came. Jackie lived a quiet life and never chased the spotlight, even after her marriage ended.

She was born in September 1929 in the United States. Jackie loved acting and stage work when she was young. Later, she chose family life over fame. Her story is calm, real, and very different from Hollywood glamour.

Jackie Witte’s Early Life

Jackie Witte was born in September 1929 in the United States. She grew up like many other girls at the time, in a normal family. Her dream was to be an actress. She also worked as a model.

She had dark brown eyes and blonde hair, and people said she was very beautiful. Jackie went to college after high school. During this time, she started acting in local stage plays. That’s where her love for performing really began.

How Jackie Met Paul Newman

In 1949, Jackie was just 19 years old. That summer, she joined a theater group to do stage work. There, she met a 24-year-old Navy veteran named Paul Newman.

They both loved acting. That shared passion brought them close very quickly. Paul had just finished his Navy service after World War II. He was looking for a new path in life, and Jackie seemed to fit into it perfectly.

Jackie Marriage Paul Newman

Jackie and Paul fell in love fast. People around them thought maybe Jackie was pregnant, but that was not true. They just really loved each other and didn’t want to wait.

They got married on December 27, 1949. It was a simple wedding, not a big Hollywood event. At that time, Paul wasn’t famous yet. They were just two young people starting a life together with big hopes.

Starting a Family Together

Just a few months after their wedding, Jackie became pregnant. In 1950, they had their first child — a boy named Scott Newman. Life was not easy, but they were happy.

Later, they had two more children. Their daughter Susan Kendall Newman was born in 1953, and their youngest, Stephanie Newman, came in 1954. Jackie stayed home to take care of the children while Paul tried to grow his acting career.

Jackie’s Life as a Young Wife

Jackie gave up many of her own dreams to be a full-time mother. She didn’t chase big movie roles. She started working more as a model to help support the family while Paul studied acting.

At one point, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, because Paul had to help run his family’s business after his father passed away. Life was simple but tough. Jackie focused on her kids, while Paul was still thinking about acting.

Paul Newman’s Growing Career

Even while helping the family, Paul still wanted to act. He saved money and decided to go back to school. He went to Yale University to study theater. Jackie and their baby moved with him to New Haven, where Yale is.

Jackie worked hard to keep the family going. She sometimes traveled to New York City to find modeling jobs. Paul also worked as a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman to make some extra money. They lived in a small apartment, but they believed better days were coming.

Meeting Joanne Woodward

While working on a Broadway play called Picnic in 1953, Paul met a young actress named Joanne Woodward. She was also just starting out. They worked together and became very close friends.

At first, it was just friendship. But over time, Paul and Joanne’s bond grew deeper. Meanwhile, Jackie stayed at home with the kids. She started noticing that Paul was gone a lot, especially at night. He was working more and spending time with people from the theater world.

Jackie Witte Divorce

As Paul spent more time with Joanne Woodward, things at home became harder. Jackie Witte was taking care of their three kids, often alone. Paul was working, meeting friends, and being away a lot.

Jackie noticed the change. She felt something was wrong. She was right. Paul had fallen in love with Joanne. One day, he told Jackie the truth — he loved someone else. That was very hard for her to hear.

They had been married for almost nine years, but they were no longer the same people. They had grown apart. In 1958, Paul and Jackie got divorced. Later that same year, he married Joanne Woodward.

Did Jackie Witte Remarry?

After the divorce, Jackie Witte stayed away from the spotlight. She did not talk to the press. She did not try to stay famous.

There is no public record that Jackie ever married again. She chose to live a private life. She focused on raising her children and being a quiet, caring mother.

What Happened to Her Children?

Jackie Witte and Paul Newman had three children together. Their first child, Scott Newman, tried to become an actor like his dad. He was in a few movies, but sadly, he had a hard time with alcohol and drugs.

In 1978, Scott passed away at just 28 years old. His death was ruled an accident. Paul Newman later opened the Scott Newman Center to help teach young people about drug dangers. Jackie’s other children, Susan and Stephanie, stayed more private. Susan worked in charity and nonprofits. Stephanie stayed mostly out of the public eye.

Jackie Witte’s Final Years

After her divorce, Jackie never returned to acting. She also didn’t go back to modeling in a big way. She stayed away from fame and lived a quiet life.

She passed away in 1994 at the age of 64. Her cause of death was not shared publicly. Jackie Witte lived far from the cameras, but her story is still remembered by many who want to know the real woman behind Paul Newman’s early years.

Final Thoughts

Jackie Witte may not be a Hollywood star, but her life was important. She was the first wife of Paul Newman, and she stood beside him when he had nothing. She gave up her dreams to raise a family.

Her name is often left out of the spotlight, but her story matters. Jackie Witte’s life shows how quiet strength and love can shape a big star’s early journey — even if it doesn’t get shown in the movies.

(FAQs)

When was Jackie Witte born?

Jackie Witte was born in September 1929 in the United States. She grew up like many young women of her time and dreamed of working in acting and modeling.

When did Jackie Witte marry Paul Newman?

Jackie Witte married Paul Newman on December 27, 1949. They were both very young and deeply in love when they got married.

How many children did Jackie Witte have?

Jackie Witte had three children with Paul Newman. Their names are Scott, Susan Kendall, and Stephanie. She focused most of her life on raising them.

Why did Jackie Witte and Paul Newman divorce?

Their marriage ended in 1958. As Paul Newman’s career grew, he became close to actress Joanne Woodward. Paul later admitted he fell in love with someone else, which led to the divorce.