Linda Susan Agar: Shirley Temple’s Daughter Who Chose Privacy Over Fame

Linda Susan Agar was born on January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California, as the only child of Hollywood icon Shirley Temple and actor John Agar. Unlike her mother’s legendary career, Linda appeared briefly in films and television before stepping away from Hollywood to live a private life. She died in 2000 at age 52, leaving behind a daughter and grandchildren.

Born Into Hollywood Royalty

Linda Susan Agar was born on January 30, 1948, during the height of her mother Shirley Temple’s fame. Her father, John Agar, was a former Army Air Corps sergeant who entered acting after marrying Shirley in 1945. The couple met in 1943 when Temple was just 15 years old and Agar’s sister was her schoolmate.

The wedding was a grand celebration with 500 guests at Wilshire Methodist Church in Los Angeles on September 19, 1945. Linda arrived three years later, becoming the center of media attention from birth.

Her parents’ marriage unraveled quickly. John Agar’s alcoholism and the stress of Hollywood life marred their relationship, leading to divorce on December 5, 1949, with Temple awarded custody of Linda. At age two, Linda’s world changed when her mother remarried Charles Alden Black in 1950, a Navy intelligence officer decorated with the Silver Star.

A Brief Acting Career

Linda followed her mother’s footsteps into entertainment, though briefly. She appeared in her mother’s 1958 TV series “Shirley Temple’s Storybook,” which featured fairy tale adaptations. This remains her most documented acting work, credited on IMDb under the name Susan Agar.

Unlike Shirley Temple’s meteoric rise as a child star, Linda’s time in front of cameras was limited. She did not attempt to build a sustained acting career. The reasons remain speculative, but likely stemmed from witnessing the pressures her mother faced in Hollywood and a desire for normalcy.

By her twenties, Linda had completely withdrawn from the entertainment industry. This decision marked a clear boundary between her identity and her mother’s legacy.

Family Life: Half-Siblings and New Beginnings

Linda’s family structure expanded significantly after her mother’s remarriage to Charles Alden Black. She gained two half-siblings: Charles Alden Black Jr., born April 28, 1952, and Lori Black, born April 9, 1954.

Charles Jr. briefly acted in “Shirley Temple’s Storybook” before leaving entertainment for real estate. Lori took a completely different path, becoming a bassist for the grunge rock band the Melvins in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Many interviews referred to Linda as “Susan Black,” suggesting Charles Alden Black Sr. may have adopted her as a child. This name change reflected her integration into the Black family unit and distance from her birth father, John Agar.

From her father’s 1951 remarriage to model Loretta Barnett Combs, Linda had additional step-siblings: Martin Agar and John G. Agar III. However, little documentation exists about her relationship with her paternal side.

Marriage to Burton James Tidwell

Linda married Burton James Tidwell, a man with no Hollywood connections. The exact date and details of their meeting remain private, reflecting Linda’s consistent approach to keeping personal matters out of public view.

Together, they had one daughter, Teresa Caltabiano. Linda dedicated herself to homemaking and raising her daughter away from the media spotlight that had defined her own childhood.

Shirley Temple maintained a close relationship with her granddaughter Teresa, according to multiple sources. This bond demonstrated the strong family values Linda inherited and passed to the next generation.

Linda’s marriage contrasted sharply with her parents’ Hollywood union. She deliberately built a life centered on privacy and family rather than public recognition.

The Mother-Daughter Bond

Linda Susan Agar had a close relationship with her famous mother throughout her life. Shirley Temple, who considered motherhood one of her three wonderful careers alongside acting and politics, prioritized her children despite her demanding public life.

After retiring from acting in 1950, Shirley Temple transitioned to public service. She served as U.S. Chief of Protocol from 1989 to 1993 and U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. These achievements occurred during Linda’s adult years, demonstrating how both women pursued their own distinct paths.

The relationship between mother and daughter remained strong despite their different approaches to public life. Linda witnessed her mother’s transformation from child star to diplomat, perhaps reinforcing her own choice to remain private.

A Godmother’s Influence

Linda’s godmother was actress Linda Darnell, after whom she was named. Darnell was a Hollywood star known for films like “Forever Amber” and “A Letter to Three Wives.” This connection added another layer to Linda’s early Hollywood immersion, though its lasting influence remains undocumented.

Death and Limited Legacy

Linda Susan Agar passed away in 2000 in California at age 52. The specific details of her death were not publicly disclosed, consistent with the privacy she maintained throughout her life.

Unlike her mother, who died in 2014 with extensive public tributes and a $30 million estate, Linda’s passing received minimal media coverage. She left behind her daughter, Teresa Caltabiano, and two grandchildren who continue the family line.

No public records document Linda’s net worth or financial circumstances. Her choice of homemaking over career pursuits suggests she relied on family resources rather than independent wealth accumulation.

Why Linda Chose Privacy Over Fame

Linda Susan Agar’s life raises questions about legacy and choice. Born with every advantage to pursue Hollywood stardom, she deliberately chose otherwise. Several factors likely influenced this decision.

First, witnessing her mother’s intense public scrutiny and the pressure of maintaining a perfect image may have deterred Linda. Shirley Temple’s childhood was consumed by work, with little normal development.

Second, her parents’ divorce, partially blamed on the stress of Hollywood life and her father’s struggles, demonstrated the cost of fame. Linda saw firsthand how celebrity could damage personal relationships.

Third, by the time Linda reached adulthood in the late 1960s, her mother had already retired from acting and moved into different pursuits. There was no family acting dynasty to join or pressure to continue.

Linda’s choice represents an alternative narrative to Hollywood legacy stories. Rather than capitalizing on her famous name, she rejected it in favor of authentic personal relationships and normal family life.

Comparing Mother and Daughter

Shirley Temple’s life was defined by public achievement: child star, actress, diplomat, and public figure. Linda’s life was defined by private achievement: wife, mother, and individual who successfully escaped the shadow of fame.

Both paths required courage. Shirley faced constant scrutiny and pressure. Linda faced expectations and questions about why she didn’t follow her mother’s path. Each woman made choices aligned with her values.

The contrast between their lives highlights how fame affects families across generations and how children of celebrities navigate their own identities.

FAQs

Who was Linda Susan Agar?

Linda Susan Agar was the only daughter of actress Shirley Temple and actor John Agar, born January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California.

Did Linda Susan Agar have an acting career?

Yes, but very briefly. She appeared in the 1958 TV series “Shirley Temple’s Storybook” and possibly minor film roles before leaving entertainment.

When did Linda Susan Agar die?

She passed away in 2000 at age 52 in California. Details about her death remain private.

Did Linda Susan Agar have children?

Yes, she had one daughter named Teresa Caltabiano and two grandchildren.

What was Linda Susan Agar’s net worth?

Her net worth is not publicly documented. She focused on homemaking rather than career pursuits.