Who was the woman who first captured the heart of one of Hollywood's most iconic figures, a name often overshadowed by the dazzling spotlight of a later love? Jackie Witte, the first wife of Paul Newman, was a key figure in his early life and a woman whose story deserves to be told.

The narrative of Paul Newman's life often focuses on his enduring romance with Joanne Woodward, a love story that spanned decades and captivated the world. However, before the red carpets and the awards, before the legendary partnership and the shared philanthropic endeavors, there was another woman: Jackie Witte. She was the first Mrs. Newman, the woman who shared the formative years of his life, the mother of his first three children, and a presence that, while less celebrated, played a crucial role in shaping the man he would become. Their story, marked by both the joy of young love and the inevitable complexities of life, offers a fascinating glimpse into the early chapters of a Hollywood legend.

Full Name	Jacqueline Emily Witte (formerly known as Jacqueline McDonald)
Born	September 15, 1929, in Cook County, Illinois, USA
Died	May 19, 1994, in New York City, New York, USA
Age at Death	64
Father	Franklin Theophilus Witte
Mother	Irene Elizabeth Telgman
Spouse	Paul Leonard Newman (married December 27, 1949, divorced January 28, 1958)
Children	Scott Newman, Susan Kendall Newman, Stephanie Newman
Known For	First wife of Paul Newman. While she maintained a private life, her connection to Newman places her in the context of the evolution of the legendary actor.
Cause of Death	Not publicly disclosed by the family.
Education	Information not available
Additional Notes	Jackie Witte's life was primarily focused on family after her divorce from Paul Newman. She chose to remain out of the public eye. There is no public record of her obituary.
Reference	IMDB - Paul Newman Bio

Jackie Witte entered Paul Newman's life in 1949, the year he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II. Their connection quickly blossomed into marriage, with the wedding taking place on December 27th of that year in Cleveland, Ohio. This union marked the beginning of a new chapter for Newman, a time when he was still finding his footing in the world, his acting career just beginning to take shape. The couple settled into a life in Staten Island, New York, raising a family as Newman navigated the early stages of his career. They had three children together: Scott Newman, Susan Kendall Newman, and Stephanie Newman. While Newman was building his career, Jackie focused on being a mother, a role that would become increasingly important to her after the marriages end.

The marriage, however, was not destined to last. Their relationship, like many, faced challenges, and ultimately, it dissolved in 1958. It was around this time that Newman met Joanne Woodward, his co-star in a Broadway play, a meeting that would set the stage for the next chapter in Newman's life. After nine years of marriage, the couple divorced. This marked a decisive turning point in both their lives, with Newman going on to marry Woodward, forming a union that would become one of Hollywood's most admired and long-lasting. For Jackie, the divorce signaled a shift towards a quieter, more private life, away from the public glare that came with her marriage to a rising star.

Jackie Witte's life after the divorce is a testament to her desire for privacy and her dedication to her children. While Newman's career continued to soar, Jackie stepped away from the public eye. She focused on raising her children, building a life for herself away from the celebrity spotlight. She was born on September 15, 1929, in Cook County, Illinois, and lived a life that, while not widely known, was surely filled with personal joys and challenges. Sadly, she passed away on May 19, 1994, in New York City, New York, at the age of 64. Her obituary, like many aspects of her life, was never made public, which means that the public never knew the cause of her death.

The circumstances surrounding Jackie Witte's passing remain somewhat veiled, and her family chose not to reveal the cause of her demise. What is known is that she lived a life marked by the love of family and the pursuit of a personal path. Her story is a reminder that behind every famous name, there are often other individuals, whose lives and experiences have shaped the narrative. While the details of her life remain somewhat elusive, the impact of her early marriage on Paul Newman's life and on the lives of her children is undeniable.

It is important to remember that before Paul Newman was a global icon, he was a young man building a life, and Jackie Witte was a part of that journey. Their marriage occurred after Newman had served in World War II. It happened before the acting triumphs, before the racing, and before the enduring partnership with Woodward. Jackie was a companion in those formative years, and their connection, though less celebrated, formed a building block in the life of Paul Newman, who, in his later years, was known for his philanthropic work and was awarded numerous honors, including an Academy Award, and a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. While his later love story with Joanne Woodward would capture the worlds imagination, it was Jackie Witte who was there in the beginning, helping to shape the man that the world would come to know and admire.

Jackie Witte, the first wife of Paul Newman, represents a significant, yet often overlooked, piece of Hollywood history. Her story allows us to reflect on the people behind the celebrity, the personal stories that shape our understanding of the icons we admire, and the quiet dignity of a life lived away from the spotlight.