Arlene Litman is an American teacher and mother of famous American actress Lisa Bonnet.
But unfortunately, she passed away in March 1998 at the age of 58 due to breast cancer.
In this article, you learn all about Lisa Bonet’s mother Arlene Litman including her age, height, weight, death, husband, and net worth.
| Profile Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arlene Litman |
| Birth Date | 11 February 1940 |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles |
| Age | 58 Years Old |
| Height | 5 Feet 6 Inches |
| Net Worth | $600,000 |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Father | Eli Litman |
| Mother | Sylvia Ellen Goldvary |
| Sibling | Barry Litman |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| EX- Husband | Allen Bonet |
| Marriage Date | June 12, 1967 |
| Children | Lisa Bonet |
| Nationality | American |
Who is Arlene Litman?
Arlene Litman (February 11, 1940 – March 3, 1998) was an acclaimed American music teacher from Pennsylvania. However, her greatest claim to fame was being the mother of famous television actress Lisa Bonet of The Cosby Show.
Arlene married opera singer Allen Bonet in 1967. But, her Jewish family discriminated against her for marrying an African American man. They soon divorced after Lisa’s birth in 1967. This left Arlene to support young Lisa independently amidst severe prejudice.
Early Life of Arlene Litman
Arlene Litman was born on 11th February 1940 in Los Angeles, California to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. Her father Eli Litman and mother Sylvia Ellen Goldvary had migrated from Russia. They moved with Sylvia’s parents to escape persecution. Arlene also had a brother named Barry Litman born a few years after her.
As a child, Arlene split her upbringing between California. She was born there. She also spent time in Pennsylvania, where her grandparents had settled. Surrounded by music-loving Russian Jews, the young Arlene developed a passion for the arts from an early age. Her family faced rampant discrimination. It was because of both their Jewish heritage and immigrant roots.
As she grew older, Arlene sought solace in music. Her studious nature led her to pursuing teaching professionally. But little did she know that discrimination would continue affecting her life choices as an adult woman too.
Arlene Litman Age
Arlene Litman was only 58 years old when she sadly succumbed to breast cancer on 3rd March 1998 in Los Angeles, California.
Given that she was born on February 11th, 1940, she would have turned 84 years old in 2024. Tragically, cancer cut short the vibrant music teacher’s life. She was set to see even greater success as the mother of a rapidly rising Hollywood star Lisa Bonet.
Arlene Litman Height and Weight
In terms of physical appearance, Arlene Litman was known to be stylishly slim and exceptionally beautiful. She stood at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (or 167 cm) and weighed around 60 kg (132 pounds).
Arlene had a graceful and elegant beauty that made her and her daughter Lisa Bonet look very lovely together as a mother and daughter. Lisa embodied beauty just as much.
Arlene Litman Death
The devastating death of Arlene Litman in 1998 was an immense loss for her family. By then she had already been battling aggressive breast cancer. Her condition deteriorated rapidly leading to her sad demise at just 58 years of age on March 3, 1998.
At the time of Arlene’s death, her only daughter Lisa Bonet had already given birth to a daughter named Zoe Isabella Kravitz in December 1988. So Arlene did have the chance to become a proud grandmother in the final decade of her life. However, her subsequent grandchildren born to Lisa after her passing could not have the fortune of meeting Arlene in person.
Arlene Litman Career
Professionally, music was Arlene Litman’s one true calling and passion. Before marriage and motherhood consumed her life, she ardently pursued music education in school. Sources reveal Pennsylvania is where she taught music for the longest duration.
Students fondly remember Litman being a dedicated teacher who motivated them to follow their artistic dreams just as she did. Her classroom was lively yet disciplined, allowing creativity to flourish. Arlene adored teaching music. Being Lisa Bonet’s mother undoubtedly made her far more famous than her professional pursuits ever could.
Arlene Litman Husband
In 1967, Arlene made a controversial decision. She married an African American opera singer, Allen Bonet. At the time, interracial relationships were severely berated. Her traditional Jewish family shunned her. They thought Allen was beneath their social standing. Her family were migrants who had barely escaped persecution themselves.
Nonetheless, Arlene followed her heart. She hoped to change mindsets through her progressive life choices. Soon after giving birth to Lisa, Allen abandoned Arlene despite her sacrifices. He moved on to remarry another woman named Deborah and have more children as Arlene struggled alone with Lisa. This discrimination and betrayal left deep scars on Arlene.
Arlene Litman’s Daughter Lisa Bonet
Barely a year after Arlene’s marriage to Allen Bonet, their daughter Lisa Bonet was born on November 16, 1967. However, Allen left Arlene alone by then to raise the infant Lisa amidst harsh discrimination against single mothers.
To escape judgment, Arlene moved cities to start life afresh as a single parent. In interviews, Lisa says that her mother enduring tough hardships gave her inner strength. Experiencing prejudice first-hand also awakened young Lisa’s moral conscience. This shaped her into an outspoken activist for justice, besides being a consummate artist.
Lisa acknowledges that without her mother, she may have never fulfilled her towering success. Her mother nurtured her gifts. This was during economically tough times. There were also socially oppressive attitudes towards their interracial family. No wonder Arlene Litman is the real unsung hero behind Lisa’s fame.
Arlene Litman’s Net Worth
Reports estimate Arlene Litman’s net worth was approximately $600,000 during her lifetime as a teacher. This was a sizable fortune for any professional woman in the late 1900s. Adjusted for inflation, that amount translates to around $1 million in today’s terms.
Meanwhile, her beloved daughter Lisa Bonet rakes in $11 million today. She has had an over four-decade-long acting career across television and Hollywood. There is no doubt that Lisa’s success and chances in life come from her mother Arlene Litman’s wise money management and encouragement. Her mother did this despite battling discrimination and health problems.
Final Words
In closing, Arlene Litman represents perseverance. She has faced tremendous adversity. This adversity includes health afflictions and prejudice. She has also faced prejudice towards her Jewish Russian roots. She has faced prejudice due to her interracial family and single mother status.
Through her teaching and motherhood, she ignited her spark in young Lisa Bonet – who grew brighter than Arlene could have ever imagined. Her light dimmed early. Now, Lisa and her granddaughter, Zoe Kravitz, immortalize Arlene Litman’s memory, like any loving family would.
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