Jackie Witte (born Jacqueline Emily Witte) was the first wife of legendary actor Paul Newman. While Newman’s long marriage to Joanne Woodward is widely celebrated, his earlier marriage to Witte is far less known to the public.
She lived most of her life outside the Hollywood spotlight and passed away in 1994.
Quick Facts: Jackie Witte
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacqueline Emily Witte |
| Born | September 15, 1929 (Cook County, Illinois) |
| Died | May 19, 1994 (New York City) |
| Age at Death | 64 |
| Marriage | Married Paul Newman, December 27, 1949 |
| Divorce | Finalized January 1958 |
| Children with Newman | Scott, Susan Kendall, and Stephanie |
| Profession | Aspiring actress and model |
| Later Life | Private; lived outside the public eye |
Early Life and Marriage to Paul Newman
Jackie Witte was born on September 15, 1929, in Cook County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Frank T. Witte and Irene Eliz Telgman.
She met Paul Newman after he returned from U.S. Navy service in World War II. Both were interested in acting at the time. They married on December 27, 1949, when Jackie was 20 and Newman was 24.
The couple settled into a modest life, first on Staten Island and later elsewhere in the New York area, while Newman pursued acting classes and early stage work. Jackie set aside much of her own performing ambitions to support the household and raise their children.
Children
Jackie Witte and Paul Newman had three children together:
- Alan Scott Newman (born 1950) – known as Scott Newman. He became an actor and stuntman and died in 1978 from a drug overdose at age 28.
- Susan Kendall Newman (born February 21, 1953) – worked in film and television production. She passed away in 2025 at age 72.
- Stephanie Newman (born 1954)
Divorce and Aftermath
Newman began a relationship with actress Joanne Woodward while still married to Jackie. The marriage ended in divorce in 1958. Newman and Woodward married the same year and remained together until his death in 2008.
In later years Newman expressed regret about the way the first marriage ended and largely avoided discussing the details publicly out of respect for both women. Jackie received a settlement and maintained a low profile afterward.
Later Life and Death
After the divorce, Jackie Witte lived privately. She is reported to have worked as an English teacher at one point and, according to some family records, later remarried (appearing in records under the name Newman McDonald). Detailed public information about her final decades remains limited.
Jackie Witte died on May 19, 1994, in New York City at the age of 64. The cause of death was not widely publicized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jackie Witte? Jackie Witte (Jacqueline Emily Witte) was Paul Newman’s first wife. They were married from 1949 to 1958 and had three children.
When did Jackie Witte and Paul Newman divorce? Their divorce was finalized in January 1958.
Did Jackie Witte remarry? Some records indicate she later married and used the surname McDonald, but she largely stayed out of the public eye.
When did Jackie Witte die? She died on May 19, 1994, in New York City at age 64.
How many children did Jackie Witte and Paul Newman have? They had three children: Scott, Susan Kendall, and Stephanie Newman.
What happened to Jackie Witte after the divorce? She lived a private life away from Hollywood and the media attention that surrounded Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Sources & Accuracy Note This article draws from publicly available biographical information, including Paul Newman’s posthumous memoir references, Find a Grave records, WikiTree family data, and major entertainment reporting. Cause of death and some later personal details remain private. Last updated: July 31, 2026.
