Martha Mitchell was a prominent socialite and political figure in the 1970s, who became known as a whistleblower of the Watergate scandal. Her outspokenness and courage earned her admiration and sympathy from many Americans but also put her in conflict with her husband, John N. Mitchell, the former Attorney General and a close ally of President Richard Nixon. But what happened to their daughter, Martha Elizabeth Mitchell, also known as Marty? The answer is shrouded in mystery and controversy, as Marty disappeared from the public eye after her parent’s divorce and never resurfaced.
Background on Martha Mitchell and her daughter
Martha Mitchell married John N. Mitchell in 1957, after divorcing her first husband, Clyde Jennings Jr., with whom she had a son, Clyde Jay Jennings. Marty was born in 1961, and grew up in New York City, where her father was a successful lawyer. In 1969, John N. Mitchell became the Attorney General under Nixon, and the family moved to Washington D.C., where they lived in the Watergate complex.
Martha Mitchell was a flamboyant and charismatic woman, who enjoyed socializing with the press and the elite. She was also outspoken about her political views and often criticized Nixon and his policies. She became friends with many journalists, who nicknamed her “the Mouth of the South” and “Martha the Mouth”. She also had a close relationship with her daughter, whom she called “my little angel”.
The Disappearance of Martha Mitchell’s Daughter
In 1972, the Watergate scandal broke out, exposing the illegal activities of Nixon’s campaign and administration. Martha Mitchell was one of the first to reveal the involvement of her husband and his associates in the scandal, as she recognized one of the burglars as James McCord, a former CIA agent who worked as Marty’s bodyguard. She also claimed that she had overheard conversations between her husband and Nixon about covering up the break-in.
However, her husband and Nixon’s aides tried to silence her and discredit her. They kidnapped her and held her captive in a hotel room in California, where they drugged her and beat her. They also spread rumors that she was mentally unstable and alcoholic. They even cut off her phone line when she tried to call a reporter to expose the truth.
Meanwhile, John N. Mitchell left their home with Marty and filed for divorce. He won custody of their daughter after a bitter legal battle. Martha Mitchell never saw her daughter again after that. Marty was reportedly sent to a boarding school in Maryland, and later attended Georgetown University. She also worked as a real estate consultant in Washington D.C.
However, Marty never spoke to the media or appeared in public after her parents’ divorce. She also changed her name to Martha Savidge after marrying Paul Savidge in 1989. She reportedly cut off all contact with her mother’s side of the family, including her half-brother Clyde Jay Jennings.
Impact on Martha Mitchell and Her Family
The disappearance of Marty had a devastating impact on Martha Mitchell and her family. Martha Mitchell suffered from depression and loneliness, as she lost both her husband and her daughter. She also faced financial difficulties, as she received no alimony or child support from John N. Mitchell. She moved back to New York City, where she lived in a small apartment with her dog.
She also continued to speak out against Nixon and his administration, despite facing harassment and threats. She testified before the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973, where she accused Nixon of being behind the Watergate scandal and other crimes. She also supported the impeachment of Nixon and his resignation in 1974.
However, she also faced health problems, as she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but they were unsuccessful. She died on May 31, 1976, at the age of 57.
Her funeral was held in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she was born. Her ex-husband John N. Mitchell attended the funeral with Marty, but they arrived late and entered through a side door. They did not speak to any of Martha Mitchell’s relatives or friends.
Current Status and Unresolved Questions
The disappearance of Marty remains a mystery to this day. No one knows why she chose to distance herself from her mother and her mother’s family. Some speculate that she was brainwashed or intimidated by her father and Nixon’s aides, who wanted to keep her away from the media and the public eye. Others suggest that she was traumatized by the events of the Watergate scandal and wanted to live a normal life away from politics and controversy.
Whatever the reason, Marty has never spoken publicly about her mother or her father since their divorce. She has also never commented on the Watergate scandal or its aftermath. She has remained out of sight and out of mind, leaving behind many unanswered questions and unresolved issues.
Where is Marty now? Is she still alive? Does she have any children or grandchildren? Does she regret losing contact with her mother? Does she have any memories or feelings about the Watergate scandal? Does she have any interest or involvement in politics or social issues? Does she have any contact with her half-brother or other relatives?
These are some of the questions that still haunt many people who knew or admired Martha Mitchell, the whistleblower of the Watergate scandal. Her daughter’s disappearance is one of the most intriguing and mysterious aspects of her life and legacy.
