Eartha & Kitt

A Daughter's Love Story in Black and White

Kitt Shapiro Patricia Levy

A luminous and inspiring portrait of a Black pioneer and artistic force—Eartha Kitt—and one of the most moving mother/daughter stories in Hollywood history.

In this unique combination of memoir and cultural history, we come to know one of the greatest stars the world has ever seen—Eartha Kitt—as revealed by the person who knew her best: her daughter.

Eartha, who was a mix of Black, Cherokee, and white, is viewed by the world as Black. Kitt, her biological daughter, is blonde and light skinned. This is the story of a young girl being raised by her mother, who happened to be one of the most famous celebrities in the world. For three decades, they traveled the world together as mother and daughter. Even after Kitt got married and started a family of her own, she and Eartha were never far from each other’s sides

Eartha had a very difficult childhood growing up in extreme poverty in South Carolina. She described herself as being “just a poor cotton picker from the South.” She did not have her own familial ties to lean on after being abandoned by her own mother as a toddler and having never known who her father was. She and Kitt were each other’s whole world.

Eartha’s legacy is still felt today. Not only do we still listen to “Santa Baby” every Christmas, but many of today’s most influential artists con­sistently mention Eartha, paying tribute to her groundbreaking stances on social issues such as racial equality and women’s and LGBTQ rights. And she is still widely remembered for her defin­itive portrayal of Catwoman in the classic Batman television series, voicing the character Yzma in Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove, and her many other movie and Broadway roles.

In these pages, Kitt brings her mother to life so vividly, you will feel as if you'd met her. You’ll embrace her love of nature, exercise, simple food, and independence, along with her lessons on the importance of treating people kindly and always being true to yourself.

Filled with love, life lessons, and poignant laughter, Eartha & Kitt captures the passion and energy of two remarkable women.

Patricia Weiss Levy is an award-winning writer and journalist who has been nominated twice for a Pulitzer Prize. Her memoir, The Adulterer’s Daughter: The Life, Loves, and Longings of a Girl Whose Father Strayed, was published in 2016. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, USA Today, The Hartford Courant, and Good Housekeeping. She spent 12 years as a staff writer at the Sunday magazine of The Hartford Courant, where she penned more than 50 profiles, investigative pieces, and other cover stories. Her personal blog, NiceJewishMom.com, is read worldwide. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and dog.

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Endorsements & Reviews

"Revealing, poignant, and beautifully told, Eartha & Kitt does exactly what it sets out to do. The book not only provides even more context behind the incredible woman that her mother became despite an incredibly difficult young life, but it also revels in the shared stories of Eartha’s and Kitt’s lives together in an intimate way that, prior to the release of this book, had yet to be told. The memoir is entertaining and heartfelt, and fans will absolutely love it." Scott Neumyer Shondaland

"With this memoir, Kitt’s daughter Shapiro wants to communicate to readers that her mother was more than her sex kitten professional persona—Kitt was also an outspoken civil rights activist [who] considered her daughter to be her greatest accomplishment. An inspiring story of the strong bond between a famous mother and her daughter." Library Journal

“In a richly detailed and loving memoir of singer and actress Earth Kitt, her daughter describes her successful career and the special bond they shared.” Shelf Awareness