Linda Susan Agar is best known as the daughter of legendary Hollywood actress Shirley Temple and actor John Agar. Born on January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California, she grew up surrounded by fame yet chose to live a private, grounded, and purposeful life. While her early years were shaped by her parents’ celebrity, Linda’s quiet dignity and independence defined her story far more than Hollywood ever could.
In this article, we explore the life of Linda Susan Agar, her upbringing as the daughter of two Hollywood icons, and how she chose a path of privacy, integrity, and quiet strength beyond the world of fame.
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Quick Facts About Linda Susan Agar
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Linda Susan Agar |
| Born | January 30, 1948 – Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Age | 77 years (old as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Shirley Temple (mother), John Agar (father) |
| Grandparents | Gertrude Temple, George Francis Temple, John Agar Sr., Lillian Agar |
| Siblings | Lori Black, Charles Alden Black Jr., Martin Agar, John G. Agar III |
| Occupation | Known primarily as the daughter of Shirley Temple; lived a private life outside Hollywood |
| Known For | Eldest child of Shirley Temple, emblem of privacy and quiet strength beyond celebrity |
| Birth Sign | Aquarius |
| Place of Residence (during life) | California, United States |
Early Life and Family Background
Linda Susan Agar was born into one of the most recognizable families in American entertainment. Her mother, Shirley Temple, was already an international icon of the 1930s, celebrated for her charm and optimism during the Great Depression. Her father, John Agar, was a rising actor known for his roles in Western and adventure films such as Fort Apache (1948) and Sands of Iwo Jima (1949).
From her earliest years, Linda was surrounded by the attention that came with being Shirley Temple’s daughter. But her mother and father, despite their busy film careers, sought to give her as normal a childhood as possible, a balance between the glamour of Hollywood and the quiet values of family life.
Family Challenges and a New Beginning
In 1949, Shirley Temple filed for divorce from John Agar, citing mental cruelty, and the separation became one of the most widely reported Hollywood breakups of its era. The divorce was finalized in 1950, when Linda was just two years old.
That same year, Shirley Temple married Charles Alden Black, a decorated Navy intelligence officer and successful businessman. Linda was raised under his care and soon began using the surname “Black.” The union provided stability and privacy, giving Linda a home life far removed from the constant cameras that had once surrounded her mother.
With her new family, Linda grew up alongside two half-siblings, Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black. While her brother built a career in business, Lori later became known for her work as a musician and bassist in the alternative rock band The Melvins.
Childhood Away from the Spotlight
Though Linda’s mother remained a beloved public figure, Shirley Temple was deeply protective of her children’s privacy. Linda rarely appeared in public events and was raised with a sense of normalcy unusual for a celebrity child.
She did, however, make a small television appearance in 1958 in her mother’s anthology series Shirley Temple’s Storybook, credited as “Susan Agar.” It was her only known on-screen performance. After that, she disappeared entirely from Hollywood’s orbit, choosing a private path centered around family and quiet purpose rather than fame.
Education and Personal Values
While little is publicly documented about Linda’s education, those close to the Temple-Black family have described her as intelligent, kind-spirited, and deeply influenced by her mother’s poise and professionalism. Shirley Temple often spoke about raising her children to appreciate discipline, humility, and public service, values that would shape Linda’s approach to life.
Her upbringing, surrounded by the example of a mother who successfully transitioned from movie stardom to diplomacy, instilled in her an appreciation for service over spectacle. Unlike her parents, Linda’s adulthood unfolded far from the public eye.
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Adult Life and Personal Choices
As an adult, Linda Susan Agar continued to live privately. Unlike her mother or father, she never sought a career in entertainment or politics. Genealogical records indicate she married later in life, though her husband’s name and details of her family remain largely undisclosed, a reflection of her lifelong preference for privacy.
While various online accounts have claimed that Linda held public-service positions, such as a diplomatic role, there is no verified evidence supporting those claims. Reliable records instead portray a woman who valued her family and personal independence above all else, quietly maintaining a balanced and private existence.
Relationship with Her Parents
Linda’s relationship with her mother, Shirley Temple, was described as warm and close. Shirley often credited her children as her greatest joy and purpose outside of her diplomatic and film career. Their bond was strengthened by shared values of humility and gratitude, despite the fame that surrounded them.
Her connection with her father, John Agar, remained part of her life as well. Although her parents’ marriage was short-lived, they both cared deeply for their daughter. John continued acting into the 1960s, and despite his struggles with alcohol and career challenges, he maintained contact with Linda over the years.
Later Years and Legacy
According to public records, Linda Susan Agar passed away in the year 2000 at the age of 52. Her death received little media coverage, which aligns with the quiet way she had lived. Those who knew her remember her as thoughtful, kind, and reserved, a woman who found fulfillment in private life rather than public recognition.
Her legacy is subtle yet meaningful. Though not a public figure, she embodied the same strength, grace, and independence that defined her mother’s post-Hollywood years. Linda’s story serves as a counterpoint to the notion that fame defines worth; she chose her own version of peace, grounded in privacy and authenticity.
The Significance of Her Story
Linda Susan Agar’s life carries a timeless message about individuality within legacy. Born to two movie stars, she could have easily followed the path of public life, but instead, she shaped her story quietly, with dignity and restraint. Her choices reveal that a meaningful life does not always need an audience.
In a world that often celebrates visibility, Linda’s journey stands for something quieter yet equally admirable: the courage to live deliberately, privately, and sincerely.
Conclusion
Linda Susan Agar’s life reflects grace, simplicity, and independence. Born into Hollywood’s golden era, she stepped away from its spotlight to lead a life of her own choosing, one centered on family, integrity, and quiet purpose. Her story, though softly told, endures as a reminder that the truest legacies are often lived, not performed.
For those who remember Shirley Temple’s radiant smile, Linda represents its quieter echo, a life defined not by applause but by authenticity and peace.