When your mother is one of the most famous child stars in history, you might expect a life full of cameras. But Linda Susan Agar chose the opposite. She’s the daughter of Hollywood legend Shirley Temple, yet she’s lived a wonderfully quiet life.
Born into fame, Linda Susan could have chased the spotlight. Instead, she stepped away from it, choosing family and privacy over stardom. What shines through most in her story is the deep, loving bond she shared with her famous mom.
So who is Linda Susan Agar, really? In this article, we’ll explore her early life, her famous parents, her blended family, and her close relationship with Shirley Temple. It’s a warm story of family and love. Let’s dive in.
Who Is Linda Susan Agar?
Linda Susan Agar is best known as the first child of legendary actress Shirley Temple. Her father was actor John Agar, so she was truly born into Hollywood royalty. That famous connection is why many people still search her name today.
But here’s something interesting: she’s also known by another name. After her parents divorced and her mother remarried, Linda Susan took her stepfather’s surname and became known as Susan Black. So the same person goes by two different names.
Unlike her world-famous mother, Linda Susan chose a private path. She never pursued fame or a career in the spotlight. Instead, she preferred a quiet, low-key life, staying out of the media and away from public attention over the years.
Because she’s so private, some details about her life aren’t fully confirmed, and a few sources disagree. So in this article, we’ll focus on what’s genuinely known. What stands out most is her role as a devoted daughter and family woman.
Her Early Life and Birth
Linda Susan Agar was born on January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California. She came into the world as the daughter of two Hollywood actors, making her arrival a big moment for one of America’s most beloved star families.
Her early years began in the golden age of Hollywood. With a world-famous mother and an actor father, Linda Susan’s childhood was surrounded by fame from the very start. Yet her parents also tried to give her a sense of normal family life.
A quick, honest note: because these events happened so long ago, some specific dates in her early life vary between sources. Rather than guess, we’ll keep things simple and stick to what’s widely agreed upon about her upbringing.
What’s clear is that Linda Susan’s story began in a very special setting. As Shirley Temple’s firstborn, she held a cherished place in her mother’s heart from day one. That close bond would remain one of the defining parts of her life.
Her Parents, Shirley Temple and John Agar
To understand Linda Susan’s story, it helps to know her famous parents. Her mother, Shirley Temple, was one of the most beloved child stars in movie history. In the 1930s, she charmed the world with films like Bright Eyes and Curly Top.
Shirley’s talent was remarkable. As a little girl, she sang and tap-danced her way to global fame, reaching a level of stardom no child actor had achieved before. Later in life, she took on an entirely new role: serving her country as a respected U.S. diplomat.
Linda Susan’s father, John Agar, was also an actor. He appeared in several popular films 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.
The two stars married in 1945, when Shirley was just 17 years old. For a time, they were a glamorous Hollywood couple, and they welcomed Linda Susan a few years later. Sadly, though, their marriage would face serious challenges before long.
Her Parents’ Divorce
Like many marriages, Shirley Temple and John Agar’s eventually came to an end. After a few years together, the couple divorced around 1949 to 1950. It marked the close of one chapter for the young family.
Out of respect, it’s best to keep the reasons brief and factual. Reports say the marriage faced real difficulties, and Shirley cited personal struggles within the relationship. Rather than dwell on the hard details, we can simply note that the two decided to part ways.
Following the divorce, Shirley Temple was granted custody of young Linda Susan. For a time, Shirley raised her daughter as a single mother, staying devoted to her little girl even as she navigated life after her marriage ended.
This period was a turning point for the family. Though the divorce was surely difficult, it opened the door to a new and happier chapter. Soon, Shirley would find lasting love again, and Linda Susan’s family would grow in a beautiful way.
A New Family and Name
A new chapter began when Shirley Temple married businessman Charles Alden Black in 1950. Their union brought lasting happiness, and it gave young Linda Susan a caring stepfather. It was the start of a warm, blended family.
Following her mother’s remarriage, Linda Susan became known as Susan Black, taking her stepfather’s last name. This is why she’s often referred to by both names. An honest note, though: whether Charles formally adopted her isn’t fully confirmed in the records.
Charles Alden Black was an impressive man in his own right. He was a Navy officer honored for his service during World War II, and later a respected business executive. He gave Shirley the steady, loving partnership she had long hoped for.
Together, the family settled into a happy home life. Shirley and Charles shared a devoted marriage that would last for decades. For Linda Susan, this new family brought stability, love, and soon, two younger siblings to share her childhood with.
Her Half-Siblings
As the family grew, Linda Susan Agar became a big sister. Shirley Temple and Charles Black welcomed two more children together, giving Linda Susan a brother and a sister to share her childhood with. It made for a warm, close-knit home.
Her brother, Charles Alden Black Jr., was born in the early 1950s. Like his big sister, he briefly tried acting as a child, even appearing on their mother’s TV show. But he soon realized it wasn’t his passion and went on to build a career in real estate instead.
Her sister, Lori Black, was born a couple of years later. Of all Shirley Temple’s children, Lori was the one who stayed in the entertainment world, becoming a talented musician. She played bass guitar, notably for the rock band the Melvins.
Lori faced some personal struggles earlier in life, but with her family’s love and support, she worked through them and moved forward. Today she’s also known for her creative work as a photographer. Together, the three siblings shared a strong, caring bond.
Her Brief Time in Acting
With such famous parents, it’s no surprise that Linda Susan Agar once gave acting a try. As a young person, she appeared on her mother’s television program, Shirley Temple’s Storybook, even playing a couple of different characters on the show.
It was a natural thing to try. After all, acting ran in her family on both sides. For a brief moment, Linda Susan stepped in front of the camera, following, however briefly, in the footsteps of her legendary mother and her actor father.
But acting simply wasn’t for her. After that short experience, Linda Susan decided the entertainment world wasn’t the life she wanted. Rather than chase stardom, she chose to step back and follow her own, quieter path.
That decision says a lot about who she is. Even with fame all around her, Linda Susan knew her own heart. She preferred life behind the scenes, and she never looked back. It was the first sign of the private life she would come to treasure.
Her Close Bond With Her Mom
If there’s one thing that defines Linda Susan Agar’s story, it’s her deep, loving bond with her mother. Despite Shirley Temple’s worldwide fame, the two shared a close, genuine relationship built on love, fun, and friendship.
Linda Susan has shared sweet memories of their time together. She once described how she and her mom were “shopping and travel buddies,” visiting many places side by side. She even called Shirley “one of my very best friends,” which is truly heartwarming.
Their home life sounds joyful, too. Linda Susan recalled decorating the dining room together, hosting parties, and simply having fun as a family. These warm, everyday moments show a mother and daughter who genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.
She also remembered her mom’s love of cooking. Shirley Temple was known for her delicious leg of lamb and famous mashed potatoes, often inviting people over for a meal. To Linda Susan, being a wife and mom was her mother’s greatest achievement of all.
Her Own Family
Linda Susan Agar didn’t just cherish her mother; she built a loving family of her own. According to reports, she has a daughter named Teresa. This means Shirley Temple’s family line continued warmly into new generations.
The bond across generations was clearly strong. Reports say Shirley Temple was close to her granddaughter and treasured her family deeply. It’s a lovely picture of a famous woman who, above all, valued being a devoted mother and grandmother.
There’s even a sweet full-circle detail. Before Shirley Temple passed away, she reportedly had the joy of meeting her great-grandchild. Getting to know a new generation of the family must have been a precious gift in her final years.
A quick, honest note: some of these family details come from single reports, so they’re best treated as “reported” rather than fully confirmed. Still, they paint a warm picture of a close family that spanned several loving generations.
The Loss of Her Parents
Like all of us, Linda Susan Agar has faced the loss of her loved ones over the years. Her famous family said goodbye to its beloved members one by one, marking the end of a remarkable era in Hollywood history.
Her father, John Agar, passed away in 2002. A few years later, in 2005, her stepfather, Charles Alden Black, also died. Charles had been a loving, steady presence in Linda Susan’s life for many decades, so his loss was surely deeply felt.
Then, in 2014, Linda Susan’s mother, the legendary Shirley Temple, passed away at the age of 85. The world mourned a true icon, but for Linda Susan, it was the loss of her mom and one of her very best friends.
Losing a parent is never easy. Yet the love and memories they shared clearly live on. Linda Susan has spoken so warmly about her mother that it’s obvious their bond remains close to her heart, even after saying goodbye.
Where Is Linda Susan Agar Now?
So where is Linda Susan Agar today? True to her nature, she continues to live a quiet, private life. Even as interest in her famous family remains strong, she has stayed happily out of the public eye over the years.
Her privacy has always been important to her. Linda Susan rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances. Unlike her mother, who lived much of her life in the spotlight, she has chosen a calm, low-key existence away from the cameras.
Because she keeps to herself, there’s little public news about her day-to-day life. And honestly, that’s exactly how she prefers it. Linda Susan has always valued a simple, grounded life focused on family rather than fame.
What’s clear is that her mother’s love and legacy remain close to her heart. Now in her seventies, Linda Susan Agar continues to honor her family quietly, living life on her own peaceful terms, just as she always has.
Interesting Facts About Linda Susan Agar
- She’s Shirley Temple’s firstborn. Linda Susan is the first child of the legendary child star.
- Her dad was an actor too. Her father, John Agar, appeared in films like Fort Apache and Sands of Iwo Jima.
- She goes by two names. After her mom remarried, she became known as Susan Black, her stepfather’s surname.
- She was born in Santa Monica. Linda Susan arrived on January 30, 1948, in California.
- She has two half-siblings. Her younger siblings are Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black.
- Her sister is a musician. Lori Black played bass for the rock band the Melvins.
- She tried acting once. Linda Susan appeared on Shirley Temple’s Storybook but decided it wasn’t for her.
- She and her mom were best friends. Linda Susan called them “shopping and travel buddies.”
- Her mom loved to cook. Shirley Temple was famous for her leg of lamb and mashed potatoes.
- She values her privacy. Linda Susan has lived quietly and rarely gives interviews.
Bottom Line
Linda Susan Agar is a lovely reminder that you don’t need fame to live a rich, meaningful life. She’s known as Shirley Temple’s daughter, but her real story is one of family, love, and a quiet happiness far from the spotlight.
Born into Hollywood royalty, Linda Susan could have chased stardom. Instead, she chose privacy, treasuring her close bond with her mother and building a loving family of her own. Her warm memories of Shirley Temple show just how deep that bond was.
So, who is Linda Susan Agar? She’s a devoted daughter, a private woman, and the keeper of a beautiful family legacy. Her story proves that sometimes the happiest lives are the quiet ones, lived with love, close to the people who matter most.
(FAQs)
Who is Linda Susan Agar?
She’s the first child of Hollywood legend Shirley Temple and actor John Agar. She’s known for her private life and later went by the name Susan Black.
When was Linda Susan Agar born?
She was born on January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California.
Why is Linda Susan Agar also called Susan Black?
After her parents divorced and her mother married Charles Alden Black, Linda Susan took her stepfather’s surname and became known as Susan Black.
Does Linda Susan Agar have siblings?
Yes. She has two younger half-siblings, Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black, from her mother’s second marriage.
Did Linda Susan Agar act like her mother?
Only briefly. She appeared on Shirley Temple’s Storybook as a young person but decided acting wasn’t for her and chose a private life.
