Who is Linda Susan Agar? The untold story of Shirley Temple's first daughter
Linda Susan Agar is the daughter of actress Shirley Temple and her first husband, actor John Agar. After her parents' divorce in 1950 and her mother's remarriage, she was known as Susan Black, using the surname of her stepfather, Charles Alden Black.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Linda Susan Agar’s profile summary
- Linda Susan Agar’s early life and family background
- Frequently asked questions
- Is Linda Susan Agar still alive?
- Who are Shirley Temple’s children?
- What happened to Shirley Temple's children?
- Why did Shirley Temple and John Agar split up?
- Did Shirley Temple have a child with John Agar?
- How old was Shirley Temple when she married John Agar?
- What did Shirley Temple's husband do for a living?
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Linda Susan is widely recognised for being the first daughter of legendary child actress and diplomat Shirley Temple and actor John Agar.
- Following her parents' divorce in 1950, she took her mother's second husband's surname and became Susan Black.
- She has two younger half-siblings from her mother's second marriage to Charles Alden Black.
- Susan has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
Linda Susan Agar’s profile summary
Full name | Linda Susan Agar |
Also known as | Susan Black |
Date of birth | 30 January 1948 |
Age | 77 years old (as of 2025) |
Place of birth | Santa Monica, California, United States |
Current residence | United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Mother | Shirley Temple |
Father | John Agar |
Siblings | Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black |
Marital status | Married |
Linda Susan Agar’s early life and family background
Linda Susan was born on 30 January 1948 in Santa Monica, California, United States, to Shirley Temple and John Agar. Her parents married in 1945 when Temple was just 17 years old. Their marriage faced challenges, and they eventually divorced in 1950.
After the separation, Shirley Temple gained full custody of Susan, raising her as a single mother before later remarrying popular entrepreneur Charles Alden Black in 1950. Following her mother’s second marriage, Linda Susan adopted her stepfather’s last name and became known as Susan Black.
She grew up with her two younger half-siblings, Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black, both of whom are the children of Shirley Temple and Charles Black.
Source: Original
Linda Susan Agar’s biological parents were renowned American actors
Linda Susan Agar’s biological parents, Shirley Temple and John Agar, were both famous actors who made a big mark in Hollywood.
Her mother, Shirley Temple, was one of the most famous child stars in movie history. She became popular in the 1930s for her roles in films like Bright Eyes and Curly Top. Later in life, she became a respected diplomat and represented the United States in different countries.
Her father, John Agar, was also an actor and appeared in several popular movies during the 1940s and 1950s, including Fort Apache and Sands of Iwo Jima. Before acting, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
Source: Getty Images
Linda Susan Agar’s parents are deceased
Both of Linda Susan Agar’s parents have passed away, and her stepfather, Charles Alden Black. According to the New York Times, her mother died on 10 February 2014, at age 85, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while her father died earlier on 7 April 2002, at age 81, from emphysema.
Her stepfather passed away on 4 August 2005, at age 86, from myelodysplastic syndrome. In a 2015 interview with Closer Weekly, Susan shared memories of her mother, saying:
As a mother, she was devoted and generous, although she could be a little bit stern if we didn’t behave. But family was a really, really important part of her life. She was all about her children and her husband.
She added:
She was a wonderful cook. She loved to invite people over. She would say, ‘Come by my house and I’ll make you leg of lamb.’ She made a beautiful lamb and was famous for her mashed potatoes!
Source: Getty Images
Where is Linda Susan Agar now? Life away from the spotlight
Unlike her famous mother, Susan Black, daughter of John Agar, chose to live a private and low-profile life. While Shirley Temple transitioned from acting to public service and became a U.S. diplomat and ambassador, Susan stayed out of the media. Over the years, she has rarely made public appearances or given interviews, preferring to live quietly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linda Susan Agar still alive?
Shirley Temple’s daughter is still alive. She has lived a private life away from public attention since her mother’s passing in 2014.
Source: Getty Images
Who are Shirley Temple’s children?
Shirley Temple had three children: Linda Susan Agar with actor John Agar, and Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black with her second husband, Charles Black.
What happened to Shirley Temple's children?
All of Shirley Temple’s children have chosen to live private lives. Susan Black avoids the media, Charles Jr. worked in business, and Lori Black became a talented musician and photographer.
Why did Shirley Temple and John Agar split up?
As documented by The List, Temple cited mental cruelty as the reason for their separation. Agar was reportedly an alcoholic and had extramarital affairs.
Did Shirley Temple have a child with John Agar?
Shirley Temple and John Agar had one child together, Linda Susan Agar, born on 30 January 1948.
How old was Shirley Temple when she married John Agar?
Shirley Temple was 17 years old when she married John Agar in 1945.
What did Shirley Temple's husband do for a living?
The actress's husband, Charles Alden Black, was an American business executive and naval officer who later became a marine research and management expert, working in oceanography and business administration.
Conclusion
Linda Susan Agar, known later as Susan Black, is best recognised as the first daughter of Hollywood legend Shirley Temple and actor John Agar. Though she was born into fame, Susan has chosen a quiet and private life, far away from the spotlight that once followed her famous mother.
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Source: Briefly News
