Kitty ONeil: The Fastest Woman in the Worlds Cause of Death, Net Worth, Family, Age, Movies, K

Kitty ONeil: The Fastest Woman in the World Kitty ONeil was an American stuntwoman and racer who defied all odds to become one of the most accomplished women in her field. Born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas, ONeils early life was fraught with challenges that would have broken even the strongest individuals.

Kitty O’Neil: The Fastest Woman in the World

Kitty O’Neil was an American stuntwoman and racer who defied all odds to become one of the most accomplished women in her field.

Born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas, O’Neil’s early life was fraught with challenges that would have broken even the strongest individuals.

She lost her hearing as a baby after a high fever following measles and mumps, but being deaf gave her a spur to achieve more, not less – pursuing sports and learning piano and cello.

She also survived a plane crash that killed her father, a about of spinal meningitis that threatened her ability to walk, and two treatments for cancer.

Despite these obstacles, O’Neil never gave up on her dreams and passions.

She became a champion diver, a water skier, a skydiver, a hang glider, and a motorcycle racer.

She also entered the world of stunt work, doubling for stars like Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman, and setting records for high falls, fires, and explosions.

But her most remarkable feat was breaking the land speed record in 1976, driving a rocket car at an average of over 512 mph across Oregon’s Alvord Desert.

She also set records for speed on water and in the air, earning her the nickname “the fastest woman in the world”.

O’Neil retired from stunt work in 1982 and devoted her later years to painting, sculpting, and helping animals.

She died on November 2, 2018, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of courage, determination, and excellence.

Kitty O’Neil Cause of Death

Kitty O’Neil died of pneumonia on November 2, 2018, at her home in Eureka, South Dakota.

She had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for several years, which affected her breathing and made her prone to infections.

She was surrounded by her friends and family, including her longtime partner Ray Wald, who had been her companion since 1986.

O’Neil’s death was mourned by many people who admired her achievements and spirit, including her fellow stunt performers, racers, and fans.

She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she loved to hike and explore.

Kitty O’Neil’s Net Worth

Kitty O’Neil’s net worth is not publicly known, but it is estimated that she earned a substantial amount of money from her stunt work and racing career.

She was one of the highest-paid stuntwomen in Hollywood, earning up to $100,000 per year in the 1970s and 1980s.

She also received sponsorships and endorsements from various companies, such as Mattel, which made a Kitty O’Neil action figure in 1978.

Kitty also owned several properties, including a ranch in California, a house in Texas, and a cabin in South Dakota.

O’Neil was not extravagant with her money and preferred to live a simple and modest life.

She donated some of her earnings to various charities, especially those that supported animals, children, and the deaf community.

She also invested in her hobbies, such as painting, sculpting, and collecting Native American artefacts.

Kitty O’Neil Family

Kitty O’Neil was born to John O’Neil and Patsy Compton O’Neil on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Her father was an officer in the United States Army Air Forces, who had been an oil wildcatter.

He died in a plane crash when Kitty was five years old, leaving her mother to raise her alone.

Her mother was of Cherokee descent and taught Kitty lip-reading and speech.

She eventually became a speech therapist and co-founded a school for students with hearing impairment in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Kitty had a close relationship with her mother, who encouraged her to pursue her interests and talents.

Kitty also had a half-brother, John O’Neil Jr., from her father’s previous marriage, who was 18 years older than her.

She had little contact with him, as he lived in another state.

Kitty never married or had children of her own, but she considered her longtime partner Ray Wald and her many friends as her family.

She also loved animals, and had several pets throughout her life, including dogs, cats, horses, and a pet raccoon named Bandit.

Kitty O’Neil Age

Kitty O’Neil was 72 years old when she died on November 2, 2018.

She was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

She lived a full and adventurous life, achieving many things that most people could only dream of.

Kitty was also a survivor, overcoming many hardships and illnesses that threatened her health and happiness.

She remained active and energetic until her final days, enjoying nature, art, and animals.

She inspired many people, especially women, who admired her courage, skill, and spirit.

How Did Kitty O’Neil Become Deaf

Kitty O’Neil became deaf when she was five months old, after contracting simultaneous childhood diseases, such as measles, mumps, smallpox, and chickenpox.

The high fever that resulted from these infections damaged her inner ear, causing her to lose her hearing.

Her deafness was not discovered until she was two years old when her mother noticed she did not respond to sounds or voices.

Her mother then taught her lip-reading and speech and enrolled her in a school for the deaf.

Kitty learned to communicate with others and did not let her deafness stop her from pursuing her passions and goals.

She also learned sign language, and became an advocate for the deaf community, raising awareness and funds for various causes.

She once said:

“Being deaf is no handicap. It’s an asset. It gives me a chance to show people that deaf people can do anything they want to do.”

Where Did Kitty O’Neil Go to School

Kitty O’Neil went to several schools throughout her childhood and adolescence, depending on where she and her mother lived.

She started her education at a school for the deaf in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she learned lip-reading and speech.

She then moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where her mother co-founded a school for students with hearing impairment, and where Kitty excelled in academics and sports.

Kitty also attended public schools in Texas and California, where she faced some challenges and discrimination, but also made friends and proved herself as a talented and intelligent student.

She graduated from Anaheim High School in California in 1964 and received a scholarship to attend the University of New Mexico.

However, she did not complete her college degree, as she decided to pursue a career in diving, racing, and stunt work.

Kitty O’Neil Movies

Kitty O’Neil appeared in several movies and television shows as a stuntwoman, doubling for famous actresses and performing dangerous and spectacular feats.

Some of the movies she worked on include:

  • Airport ’77 (1977): She doubled for Lee Grant, and performed a stunt that involved being submerged in water inside a sinking plane.
  • The Blues Brothers (1980): She doubled for Carrie Fisher, and performed a stunt that involved driving a car off a ramp and crashing into a building.
  • Smokey and the Bandit II (1980): She doubled for Sally Field, and performed a stunt that involved jumping a car over a river.
    Foul Play (1978): She doubled for Goldie Hawn, and performed a stunt that involved falling down a flight of stairs.
  • The Bionic Woman (1976-1978): She doubled for Lindsay Wagner, and performed various stunts that involved running, jumping, fighting, and falling.

She also appeared in other films and shows, such as:

  • Wonder Woman
  • The Towering Inferno
  • The Man with the Golden Gun
  • Police Woman
  • CHiPs

She was one of the highest-paid and most respected stuntwomen in Hollywood and received several awards and honours for her work.

Kitty O’Neil KFBK

Kitty O’Neil was a radio host for KFBK, a news and talk radio station in Sacramento, California, from 1993 to 2007.

She was the first deaf person to host a radio show in the United States and used a special device that allowed her to read the callers’ lips on a screen.

Kitty also had a co-host, Pat Walsh, who helped her with the technical aspects of the show.

She covered various topics, such as politics, sports, entertainment, and personal stories, and interviewed many celebrities and public figures, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, and Oprah Winfrey.

Kitty was popular and well-liked by the listeners, who appreciated her honesty, humour, and insight.

She retired from radio in 2007 and moved to South Dakota with her partner Ray Wald.

Conclusion

Kitty O’Neil was a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life.

She overcame many challenges and obstacles and achieved many feats and records, making her a legend in her field.

She was a stuntwoman, a racer, a daredevil, and a radio host, among other things.

Kitty O’Neil was also a painter, a sculptor, a philanthropist, and an animal lover.

She was deaf, but she did not let that define her or limit her.

She was fearless, but she was also humble and kind.

Kitty was an inspiration to many people, especially women, who looked up to her as a role model and a trailblazer.

If you found this article interesting follow for more on our blog as sampled below:

ncG1vNJzZmibnq6urMHNnaBnm5%2BifKy1062wZqeemratedOhnGaekajBpr%2FTZq6opZGjeqq6jK2fnmWnpL%2BtsNJmmpqto5p6sLKMnZyarJhiu6bAjLCmq6yYYrOiucilsGaZl5p6rrvVopysZZubr6x7

 Share!