In this week’s latest edition of Closer Weekly, Kitt McDonald Shapiro, Eartha Kitt’s daughter, pens a heartfelt first-person essay, reminiscing about her beloved mother. Discover Kitt’s touching sentiments about her mom, Eartha, as you scroll through.
She acquired valuable parenting skills from her mother, who taught her important lessons. Eartha, as a child, took care of animals and observed plants and animals in nature. She would watch the fields and pick cotton. Eartha truly embodied the essence of the Earth, which is why she was given the name Eartha. Unfortunately, she experienced abuse and neglect, both sexually and emotionally. She never knew her father and constantly moved from one home to another. Even though it has been nine years, I still carry her voice in my heart. I miss hearing her laughter and talking to my mother.
As a human being, I find it fascinating how she was molded by her experiences as a young person and the lessons she learned. It’s interesting to think about how much influence nature has on shaping us. And while a slug may not have much significance, you can’t deny that you exist for a reason. It’s not just about existing, but also about appreciating the beauty around us.
Eartha Kitt and her daughter Kitt Shapiro.
She had an incredibly important and well-read diction. The way she spoke really allowed her to stand apart from others. You could say she sounded very much like Eartha Kitt. She would often call some place on the phone and act as an operator. My mom possessed a very unique voice that people wanted to listen to. She would often say that all the manure that has been thrown at me has been used as fertilizer. She never allowed anything from her past to stop her in life and this is what made me who I am. She often insisted that she wasn’t letting me go. Just because it happened in the past doesn’t mean there isn’t still pain and hurt there. I told her, “You have to let go of the pain and hurt from your past, just like I had to when I was a teenager.”
She did not get over something, his death. She could sense his vulnerability and they shared a kinship. She was very protective of him and called him Jamie. They were not only dear friends, but the press assumed another romantic relationship with Dean James. It was more of a mentorship. She thought they were lovers, even though they never said it. She was drawn to his incredible knowledge of many different subjects and his intensity. She was close to Orson Welles, like a sponge around him.
Eartha Kitt and Orson Welles.
She thought that taking a village was what helped her trail a blaze, but it does. She was one of the truly beautiful black women – Dandridge Dorothy, Lena Horne – who were allowed to be sexy without being stereotyped. She really was a part of history. She was proud of it and she knew the importance of the role! This was in 1967 when there were no women of color playing opposite white males with sexual tension, wearing skintight bodysuits. It was a really big deal and I was about nine years old when she played Catwoman on Batman.
My mother always felt that we are all entitled to our own voices and the right to speak out, as the Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech. However, she went through a difficult period where she felt unheard and misunderstood. She made an effort to understand both sides of the story, even though not everyone reciprocated. She received hundreds of letters, some of which were incredibly supportive, while others were very racist. Some people attacked her, telling her she was a horrible person and un-American. Recently, I discovered boxes of letters she received after she spoke out against the Vietnam War in 1968 at the White House. Despite having very strong opinions, my mom paid a huge professional price.
Eartha portrayed the character of Catwoman in Batman.
Prevent her from remaining true to herself, but it did not hinder her from remaining true to herself. She may have faced significant consequences for that decision in terms of her professional trajectory. She was an unyielding individual of color who never compromised her authenticity for anyone else. In order to honor her desire, I established a lifestyle and accessories brand named Simply Eartha, and the products showcase her words and wisdom for a new generation. Do not allow my identity, parenting style, or life choices to fade away. However, do not let my identity, parenting style, or life choices to fade away. Movies, television shows, and recordings – they will continue to exist independently. Throughout my entire life, she would tell me, “When I pass away, ensure that my accomplishments do not vanish with me.”
She thinks that one will follow in her grandmother’s footsteps. My mom left her piano and taught me how to write songs and play the guitar. My daughter Rachel, who is 22, is an artistic one. My son Jason, who is 27, has a very temperamental nature. Her spirit also lives on through her grandchildren. I think she didn’t really have a family during her childhood because somehow she completed it. When she introduced us to people, she would say, “This is Kitt and I’m Eartha.” I shared a unique connection with her, which I call a love story. She showed me how much she loved me by giving me another amazing gift.
Eartha Kitt and her granddaughter Rachel.
She wanted to make sure that she was the one who sang it first, as she knew it was written for her to hold on going for eternity, and her most famous song was “Baby Santa”. I don’t think it was a coincidence that she died on Christmas.
My mother did not quietly leave this earth. She died on Christmas Day in 2008, screaming at the top of her lungs. I felt that I was symbolically her strong survival instinct, as she never gave up and never easily let go. I turned to my husband and said, “I don’t know who they’re preparing for, but I hope they’re getting ready for an unwilling participant.” Because one of the gifts she left me was the ability to find even joy and laughter difficult at times, I was able to smile through my tears.