Pat Morita's Former Partner: A Closer Look at Yukiye Kitahara's Life

Yukiye Kitahara is the ex-wife of Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi in the movie "The Karate Kid." They were married in 1970 and had two daughters, Aly and Tia. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1989 after 19 years together. 

Yukiye Kitahara is a private person and has kept most details of their marriage to herself. After the divorce, she has had a low-key existence. Let’s learn more about her life in detail.

Yukiye Kitahara Wiki/Bio 

Yukiye Kitahara and actor Pat Morita shared a brief period of love that led to their marriage on December 28, 1970. Unfortunately, their union concluded in divorce after only a few years. Morita had previously divorced his first wife, Kathleen Yamachi, the same year he married Kitahara. Their marriage endured until 1989, spanning nearly 19 years.

Despite their public personas, Kitahara and Morita chose to keep most details of their marriage private, displaying mutual respect for privacy. Following the divorce, Kitahara has maintained a low-profile life, and there are no records of her subsequent relationships.

Yukiye Kitahara’s Net Worth 

Yukiye Kitahara has chosen to maintain a private stance on various aspects of her life, including her financial status. In contrast, her ex-husband, Pat Morita, had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his passing. Kitahara is speculated to lead a comfortable and opulent lifestyle, presumably benefiting from Morita's substantial net worth, similar to Kirbie Wallace.

Morita's primary source of income was his acting career, which included roles in a variety of films and television shows. Notably, he gained widespread recognition for his role in The Karate Kid franchise, with the first installment grossing over $176.5 million at the box office.

Also See: Inside Katie McGrath's Love Story: Meet Her Handsome Husband

Yukiye Kitahara’s Ex-Husband, Pat Morita 

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was a renowned American actor and comedian best known for his roles as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid film series, Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on Happy Days, and Captain Sam Pak on MAS*H. Born to Japanese immigrant parents, Morita overcame spinal tuberculosis in his early years and later rose to fame through stand-up comedy.

Morita's breakout role was as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), earning him an Academy Award nomination. He reprised the role in two sequels and The Next Karate Kid. Morita starred in the groundbreaking television series Mr. T and Tina and later in Ohara. His diverse career included roles in Happy Days, Sanford and Son, and Midway.

Beyond acting, Morita wrote and starred in the film Captive Hearts and hosted the educational series Britannica's Tales Around the World. His later work included The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo and Mulan as the voice of the Emperor of China.

Pat Morita passed away in 2005 at age 73 due to kidney failure. Posthumously, he appeared in works like SpongeBob SquarePants and Only the Brave. His legacy is celebrated in documentaries such as Pat Morita: Long Story Short and More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story.

Yukiye Kitahara has Two Daughters with Morita

During their 19-year marriage, Yukiye Kitahara and her ex-husband, Pat Morita, welcomed two daughters into their family, Tia and Aly Morita. Despite their father's prominence in the entertainment industry, both daughters choose to lead private lives and steer clear of the public spotlight.

Tia Morita has pursued a career as a researcher, diverging from her father's profession in the world of acting. In contrast, Aly Morita has embraced a path in writing, showcasing her literary talents through the publication of novels and short stories.

The Morita sisters, Tia and Aly, maintain a deliberate distance from the media and live their lives away from the public eye, choosing professions that align with their passions and interests.

You May Also Like: Amanda Stanton's Bundle of Joy: Celebrating Kinsley Buonfiglio's Childhood

What Caused Kitahara’s Ex-Husband Morita’s Death?

Pat Morita, the ex-husband of Yukiye Kitahara, passed away on November 24, 2005, at the age of 73. The cause of death for The Karate Kid actor remained unclear initially. It was later revealed that Morita succumbed to a combination of heart and kidney failure. The conflicting accounts regarding the cause of Morita's death emerged from contradictory statements made by his daughter and manager. 

Aly Morita, his daughter, attributed the demise to heart failure, whereas Arnold Soloway, his manager, pointed to kidney failure as the contributing factor. The divergent statements added complexity to understanding the circumstances surrounding the passing of the iconic Mr. Miyagi.

Get the latest celebrity articles exclusively with Glamour Path.