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Eartha Kitt was an internationally renowned American singer, actress, dancer, comedian, and activist, celebrated for her highly distinctive, purring contralto voice, multilingual performances, and captivating stage persona.Born into poverty in South Carolina, Eartha Kitt rose from challenging beginnings to become a global star. Discovered by Katherine Dunham, she joined the Dunham Company. Her breakthrough came in the 1950s with hits like 'C'est si bon' and the iconic 'Santa Baby'. She starred as Catwoman in the 1960s Batman series. Her career faced a significant setback due to political controversy in 1968 but experienced a major resurgence later in life. She was a Tony and Emmy nominee and a Grammy nominee, known for her multilingual talents and enduring sensuality.

• Eartha Kitt's birth was the result of rape; her mother was a Black Cherokee sharecropper, and her father was the white son of the plantation owner. She faced rejection from her mother's partner and was sent to live with an aunt in Harlem, experiencing abuse.
• Her career was dramatically derailed in 1968 after she made critical comments about the Vietnam War and its impact on American youth during a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson. She was reportedly blacklisted in the US and investigated by the CIA, forcing her to work primarily overseas for nearly a decade.
• Kitt experienced a remarkable career renaissance starting in the late 1970s and continuing until her death, highlighted by Broadway success (notably in 'Timbuktu!' and 'The Wild Party'), new recordings, voice work (like Yzma in Disney's 'The Emperor's New Groove'), and constant touring.
• She died on Christmas Day 2008 at the age of 81 from colon cancer.