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Kitty O’Neil, the famous American stuntwoman and racer, left an indelible mark on the world with her daring feats. While her thrilling career is widely known, one aspect of her life, such as her marriage, is less recognized.

In this piece, we delve into the details of Kitty O’Neil’s personal life, shedding light on her intimate relationships.

Kitty O’Neil: A Remarkable Journey

Kitty O’Neil’s journey began in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she was born on March 24, 1946:

• When she was five months old, she suffered from several illnesses that ultimately led to her hearing loss;
• Despite this setback, Kitty learned to speak and read lips with unwavering support from her mother. Later, her mother became one of the founders of a school for hearing-impaired children in Wichita Falls, Texas, and later became a speech therapist.

Kitty O’Neil tragically passed away from pneumonia on November 2, 2018, in Eureka, North Carolina, at the age of 72. Her remarkable achievements and indomitable spirit continue to inspire countless people to this day.

Kitty O’Neil’s Husband: A Tale of Two Marriages

Throughout her life, Kitty O’Neil entered into marriage twice. In the 1970s, she tied the knot with Ronald “Duffy” Hambleton, a former bank employee turned stunt artist. However, this union eventually ended in divorce.

Later, Kitty O’Neil entered into a second marriage, but this relationship also ended in divorce. Unfortunately, details about her other companions and partners remain hidden.

Kitty O’Neil’s Pioneering Career and Enduring Legacy

Kitty O’Neil’s life is an example of resilience and determination. Overcoming deafness, she embarked on a path of remarkable achievements. In her twenties, while continuing her career as an Olympic diver, she underwent two cancer surgeries and defeated the disease:

• Her addiction to high-speed thrills drove her towards motorcycle and car racing, even during her recuperation period. A dreadful incident in 1972 led to the amputation of two of her digits. Ronald “Duffy” Hambleton, her coworker and fellow racing aficionado, escorted her to the medical facility for the requisite surgical procedures;
• As early as 1970, Kitty fully embraced the high-octane world of both track and rugged terrain racing, gaining entry into distinguished events like the Mint 400 and Baja 500. During her tenure as a motorcycle competitor, she had professional encounters with legendary stunt professionals like Hal Needham, Ron Hambleton, and Dar Robinson. With time, she naturally gravitated toward the sphere of daredevil stunts, according to industry specialists;
• In a groundbreaking move in 1976, Kitty broke barriers by becoming the first female member of the elite Stunts Unlimited squad. Her illustrious career portfolio features classic ventures such as “Smokey and the Bandit II,” “The Blues Brothers,” and “Airport ’77,” among others. In recognition of her audacious accomplishments, Mattel launched an action figure modeled after her in 1978;
• Regrettably, contractual stipulations often stood in the way of Kitty O’Neil garnering sponsorship, hindering her not just from shattering the female land speed record but also from setting the universal speed benchmark. Marvin Glass and Associates, the creators of Hal Needham’s action figures, opposed her attempts by labeling them “improper and belittling for a woman.” In response, O’Neil successfully secured a judicial restraining order to block any further obstacles, an event covered by Sports Illustrated.

Kitty O’Neil’s life is marked by unyielding tenacity, path-breaking accomplishments, and an unquenchable zest for life. In spite of the setbacks and challenges she faced in her personal journey, her trailblazing contributions to the realms of stunts and motorsports will forever etch her name in history, serving as an inspiration for countless future talents.

How Fast Did Kitty O’Neil Land Speed?

On December 6, 1976, Kitty O’Neil set a land speed record among women, reaching a speed of 512.710 miles per hour (825.127 kilometers per hour) in the Alvord Desert in the state of Oregon, USA. This remarkable achievement solidified her place in history as one of the fastest people on land.

The Mystery Behind Kitty O’Neil’s Demise

After a successful career as a stuntwoman, Kitty moved to South Dakota in 1993 with her partner Raymond Wald in search of a peaceful life. She had no children from previous relationships, and the couple did not have any children together.

The cause of Kitty O’Neil’s death was pneumonia, an illness characterized by inflammation of lung tissue. She passed away in a hospital in Eureka, South Dakota, with no immediate surviving relatives.

Conclusion

Kitty O’Neil’s life was an incredible journey of resilience and pioneering achievements. While her thrilling stuntwoman career is well-known, her personal life, marked by two marriages and untold love stories, remains a mystery. Her legacy as an inspirational figure in the world of stunts and racing will continue to inspire generations.

Despite her passing, Kitty O’Neil’s indomitable spirit lives on, reminding us all that even in the face of adversity, one can achieve greatness and leave an indelible mark on the world.