Linda Susan Agar was born into one of the most famous families in old Hollywood. Her mother was Shirley Temple, the child star known for her curls, smile, songs, and dance scenes. Her father was John Agar, an actor who appeared in war films, Westerns, and science-fiction movies. Linda Susan could have followed her parents into show business. Instead, she chose a quiet life. She later became known as Susan Black after her mother married Charles Alden Black. Her story is not about chasing fame. It is about growing up around fame while keeping a strong sense of privacy.
Quick Bio
| Profile detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linda Susan Agar |
| Later name | Susan Black |
| Date of birth | January 30, 1948 |
| Age in 2026 | 78 years old |
| Place of birth | Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Shirley Temple |
| Father | John Agar |
| Stepfather | Charles Alden Black |
| Half-brother | Charles Alden Black Jr. |
| Half-sister | Lori Black |
| Parents’ marriage year | 1945 |
| Parents’ divorce year | 1950 |
| Public profile | Very private |
| Best known for | Being Shirley Temple’s eldest daughter |
Who Is Linda Susan Agar?
Linda Susan Agar is the first child of Shirley Temple. She was born on January 30, 1948, in Santa Monica, California. As of 2026, she is 78 years old. Her birth received attention because Shirley Temple had already been famous for many years. Fans who had watched Temple grow up on screen were interested in her new role as a mother. Linda Susan was photographed with her parents when she was a baby, but she did not become a child performer. Her parents kept much of her early life away from movie work.
Her Early Life in California
Linda Susan Agar spent her first years in California during a time when her parents were followed closely by the press. Shirley Temple was no longer the tiny child star who had ruled the box office in the 1930s, but she was still one of the best-known people in America. John Agar was also building his acting career. Their daughter was therefore born into a home connected to studios, photographers, film workers, and public events. Even so, Linda Susan’s childhood was not a Hollywood acting project. She was a family member, not a performer being prepared for the screen.
Shirley Temple and John Agar’s Marriage
Shirley Temple married John Agar in 1945 when she was 17 years old. Their wedding drew wide public interest because Temple’s fans had watched her grow from a child into a young woman. Linda Susan was born about three years later. The marriage did not last, and Temple and Agar divorced in 1950. Public reports have described the relationship as troubled, although private family matters should be discussed with care. After the divorce, Shirley Temple received custody of their daughter and became the main parent in Linda Susan’s daily life.
Why She Became Known as Susan Black
Later in 1950, Shirley Temple married Charles Alden Black. He was a businessman and former naval officer who did not seem impressed by Hollywood fame when he first met Temple. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2005. After her mother remarried, Linda Susan Agar began using her stepfather’s surname and became known as Susan Black. The change reflected her place in the new family home. However, Linda Susan Agar remains the name most often used in articles about her birth and her connection to John Agar.
Linda Susan Agar’s Younger Siblings
Susan grew up with two younger half-siblings from Shirley Temple’s marriage to Charles Alden Black. Charles Alden Black Jr. was born in 1952, and Lori Black was born in 1954. Although the three children had different biological fathers, they were raised as one family. Old family photographs show Susan with Charles Jr. and Lori beside their mother and Charles Black. Like Susan, both younger children later kept many parts of their lives private. This suggests that the family valued normal home life more than constant public attention.
Her Mother, Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple became one of the biggest child stars in film history during the 1930s. Her best-known movies include Bright Eyes, Curly Top, Heidi, and The Little Princess. Her role in Bright Eyes introduced the song “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” which became closely linked to her public image. Temple later stepped away from acting and entered public service. She served as a United States representative and diplomat, including major roles connected to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. For Linda Susan Agar, however, Shirley Temple was not only a movie icon or diplomat. She was her mother.
Her Father, John Agar
John Agar began acting after serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. His marriage to Shirley Temple helped bring him public attention, but he later built a long film and television career of his own. He appeared in movies such as Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Sands of Iwo Jima. In later years, he became known for science-fiction and horror films. John Agar and Shirley Temple appeared together in some productions during their marriage. After the divorce, Linda Susan lived mainly with her mother, and little reliable information is available about her later relationship with her father.
Shirley Temple as a Mother
Susan Black later offered a rare look at Shirley Temple’s life inside the family home. She described her mother as loving, generous, and devoted to her children, although she could also be strict when they misbehaved. Temple enjoyed cooking and welcoming guests. She was especially known in the family for preparing lamb and mashed potatoes. These memories show a side of Shirley Temple that movie audiences rarely saw. Behind the famous smile was a mother who cared about meals, manners, family time, and creating a warm home.
A Life Away From Hollywood Fame
Linda Susan Agar did not build a public career in acting, singing, or politics. She also avoided the kind of celebrity interviews and television appearances often linked to famous families. This private path makes her different from many children of major Hollywood stars. Her choice may also explain why so little confirmed information exists about her education, work, marriage, or present home. Privacy does not mean that a person has no story. In Susan’s case, it appears to be one of the most important parts of her story.
Rare Public Comments and Appearances
Most public interest in Susan Black comes from her connection to Shirley Temple. She has appeared in a limited number of family photographs and has made occasional comments about her mother. However, she has not used that connection to seek constant media attention. Even after Shirley Temple died in 2014, Susan remained mostly outside the public eye. This has helped her protect her personal life, but it has also led to repeated online claims that are difficult to confirm. Reliable profiles should separate known family history from guesses about her current life.
The Loss of Her Parents and Stepfather
John Agar died on April 7, 2002, at the age of 81. Charles Alden Black died on August 4, 2005, at the age of 86. Shirley Temple died on February 10, 2014, at the age of 85. Reports stated that Temple had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Losing all three parental figures marked the end of an important chapter in Susan’s family history. Her mother had spent nearly 60 years married to Charles Black, creating a stable second family after her earlier divorce from John Agar.
Linda Susan Agar’s Place in Shirley Temple’s Legacy
Linda Susan Agar is part of Shirley Temple’s legacy, but she should also be understood as a person who made her own choices. She was born during the later years of her mother’s movie career and witnessed Temple’s move into public service. She also experienced changes in her family, including divorce, remarriage, new siblings, and the loss of her parents. Yet she did not turn those experiences into a public career. Her quiet life shows that being born into fame does not require a person to remain in the spotlight.
Final Thoughts
Linda Susan Agar grew up as the daughter of two Hollywood actors, including one of the most famous child stars of all time. After becoming known as Susan Black, she built a life that stayed mostly outside public view. Her story adds a quiet and personal chapter to Shirley Temple’s larger legacy. It also shows that a person can be born into worldwide fame and still choose privacy, family, and an ordinary life.
FAQs
Is Linda Susan Agar still alive?
The information supplied for this article does not include a confirmed report of Linda Susan Agar’s death. However, she has lived a very private life. Because current personal information about her is limited, publishers should verify her status through a reliable recent source before presenting it as confirmed in 2026.
How old is Linda Susan Agar in 2026?
Linda Susan Agar was born on January 30, 1948. She turned 78 years old on January 30, 2026.
Why is Linda Susan Agar called Susan Black?
She began using the surname Black after her mother married Charles Alden Black in 1950. She is therefore known both as Linda Susan Agar and Susan Black.
Who are Linda Susan Agar’s parents?
Her biological parents are Shirley Temple and John Agar. Temple was a famous actress and later became a diplomat. Agar was an actor known for war films, Westerns, and science-fiction movies.
Did Linda Susan Agar become an actress?
There is no well-known acting career linked to Linda Susan Agar. Unlike her famous parents, she chose to remain outside the entertainment industry and kept a low public profile.
Who are Shirley Temple’s other children?
Shirley Temple had two other children with Charles Alden Black. They are Charles Alden Black Jr. and Lori Black. They are Linda Susan’s younger half-siblings.
Was Linda Susan Agar Shirley Temple’s first child?
Yes. Linda Susan was Shirley Temple’s eldest child and her only child with John Agar. Temple later had two children during her second marriage.
Is Linda Susan Agar married?
Some published profiles describe her as married, but clear and reliable public details about her spouse or family life are limited. This reflects her long-standing choice to protect her privacy.
