Kitty O’Neil was an American stuntwoman and auto-racer, often called “the fastest woman in the world” for her numerous speed records.

She gained recognition for her daring stunts and record-breaking feats, establishing herself as a pioneer in the male-dominated world of stunt work.

Profile

•  Full name: Kitty Linn O’Neil
• Date of birth: March 24, 1946
• Age: 77 years old (as of 2023)
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Stuntwoman, race car driver
• Height: 5’8”
• Parents: John O’Neil (father), Patsy Compton O’Neil (mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Duffy Hambleton (div.)
• Children: 2
• Relationship status: Divorced
• Net worth: $3 million

Early Life & Education

Kitty O’Neil, aged 77 in 2023, was born on March 24, 1946, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Her father, John O’Neil, was an officer in the United States Army Air Forces and an oil wildcatter, but he tragically died in an aero-plane crash during Kitty’s childhood.

Her mother, Patsy Compton O’Neil, who identified as being of Cherokee descent, played a pivotal role in Kitty’s upbringing.

When Kitty was only five months old, she contracted simultaneous childhood diseases, including measles and smallpox, which resulted in her losing her hearing.

Read Also!!

Despite this setback, her mother taught her lip-reading and speech, eventually becoming a speech therapist. She also co-founded a school for students with hearing impairments in Wichita Falls, Texas.

In her teenage years, Kitty showed a talent for athletics and became a competitive diver. She excelled in the 10-meter platform and 3-meter springboard diving, winning championships in the Amateur Athletic Union.

However, a series of unfortunate events, including a broken wrist and a about of spinal meningitis, prevented her from competing in the 1964 Olympics and ultimately led her to shift her focus to other adrenaline-fueled activities such as water skiing, scuba diving, skydiving, and hang gliding.

Personal Life

Kitty O’Neils personal life needs to be extensively documented. Kitty O’Neill was first wedded in the 1970s to Ronald “Duffy” Hambleton, a former bank executive turned stunt performer. However, their marriage ended in divorce.

Kitty O’Neill went on to remarry, but sadly, that union also resulted in divorce. Throughout her life, O’Neill has had various other relationships, although the identities of her other partners remain undisclosed to the public. She and Ronald “Duffy” Hambleton had two children together.

Career

Kitty O’Neil’s career spanned multiple fields, from racing to stunt work. In the 1970s, she participated in water and land racing events such as the Baja 500 and Mint 400, earning recognition as a skilled racer.

However, her true breakthrough came when she transitioned into the world of stunts.

Training with renowned stuntmen Hal Needham, Ron Hambleton, and Dar Robinson, O’Neil quickly established herself as a trailblazing stuntwoman.

In 1976, she became the first woman to join Stunts Unlimited, a leading stunt agency in Hollywood.

Throughout her career, she worked on various film and television projects, including appearances in “The Bionic Woman,” “Airport ’77,” “The Blues Brothers,” and “Smokey and the Bandit II.”

Her skill and fearlessness in performing high-risk stunts earned her widespread acclaim and admiration within the industry.

Net Worth

Kitty O’Neil’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million.

Read Also!!

Her career as a stuntwoman and race car driver and her numerous record-breaking achievements contributed to her financial success.

Death

Kitty O’Neil passed away on November 2, 2018, in Eureka, South Dakota, at 72.

She succumbed to pneumonia after a lifetime of extraordinary accomplishments.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: N/A
• Twitter handle: N/A

Filmography

• The Bionic Woman
• Airport ’77
• The Blues Brothers
• Smokey and the Bandit II