Camelia Kath is an American actress, writer, and entertainment professional. She is known for her work in films such as Terror on Tour, Fake-Out, and The Killing Time. She is also known for her marriages to Chicago guitarist Terry Kath and actor Kiefer Sutherland.
Camelia has two daughters. Her older daughter, Michelle Kath Sinclair, is a producer, while her younger daughter, Sarah Sutherland, is an actress known for Veep. Camelia later began a relationship with Electric Light Orchestra musician Jeff Lynne.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Camelia Kath |
| Reported full name | Camelia Emily Ortiz Kath |
| Date of birth | September 22, 1953 |
| Age | 72 as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, writer, entertainment professional |
| Known for | Acting career and relationships with Terry Kath, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jeff Lynne |
| First husband | Terry Kath |
| Second husband | Kiefer Sutherland |
| Partner/spouse | Jeff Lynne |
| Children | Michelle Kath Sinclair and Sarah Sutherland |
| Notable works | Terror on Tour, Fake-Out, Buchanan High, The Killing Time |
| Current residence | Reportedly Los Angeles, California |
Early Life and Education
Camelia Kath was born on September 22, 1953, in Puerto Rico. Some sources give her full name as Camelia Emily Ortiz Kath.
She later moved to California. There is little reliable public information about her parents, siblings, or childhood.
Some online biographies claim that Camelia attended the University of California and earned a bachelor’s degree. However, details about the campus, subject she studied, and graduation year are not clearly documented.
Camelia Kath’s Career
Camelia worked in the entertainment industry during the 1980s and 1990s. Her work included acting as well as jobs behind the camera.
One of her early acting credits was the 1980 horror film Terror on Tour. She also appeared in Fake-Out and Buchanan High.
Camelia was also connected to the 1987 crime thriller The Killing Time. The movie starred Kiefer Sutherland, Beau Bridges, and Michael Madsen.
Her acting career was relatively limited compared with the careers of some members of her family. She eventually moved toward behind-the-scenes work.
Her Work on The Nanny
Camelia was involved with the television sitcom The Nanny in the 1990s.
She received credits connected with writing and work as an executive assistant in 1999. The Nanny, starring Fran Drescher, originally aired on CBS from 1993 to 1999.
After this period, Camelia largely stopped appearing in on-screen productions. There are few widely documented acting credits from her later life.
Marriage to Terry Kath
Camelia’s first husband was Terry Kath, an American guitarist and singer best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.
Terry played guitar and sang on several of the band’s recordings. He became known for his guitar work during Chicago’s early years.
Camelia and Terry lived in Malibu and had one daughter together, Michelle.
Their marriage ended with Terry’s death on January 23, 1978. He died at age 31 after accidentally shooting himself while handling a firearm.
Her Daughter Michelle Kath Sinclair
Camelia and Terry Kath’s daughter, Michelle Kath, was born on May 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. She was still very young when her father died.
Michelle later worked in entertainment and became involved in preserving information about her father’s career.
She produced the documentary The Terry Kath Experience, which explores Terry’s life, career, and work with Chicago. The documentary uses archival material and interviews to examine the musician from his daughter’s perspective.
Michelle married Scottish actor Adam Sinclair. Reports say they met while working on To End All Wars in the early 2000s.
Sources differ about details concerning Michelle’s children, so exact names and the number of Camelia’s grandchildren should be treated cautiously.
Marriage to Kiefer Sutherland
Camelia later became involved with Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland.
The couple married on September 12, 1987. Camelia was about 12 years older than Kiefer.
Kiefer became a stepfather to Michelle during their marriage. He and Camelia also had a daughter together, Sarah Sutherland.
Their marriage lasted about three years. They separated and divorced around 1990.
Kiefer later became widely known for playing Jack Bauer in the television series 24. His other major screen credits include The Lost Boys, Stand by Me, A Few Good Men, and Designated Survivor.
Her daughter, Sarah Sutherland
Camelia’s younger daughter, Sarah Sutherland, followed her father Kiefer into acting.
Sarah is best known for playing Catherine Meyer in HBO’s political comedy series Veep. Catherine is the daughter of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Selina Meyer.
Sarah appeared throughout the show’s run and shared in the cast’s Screen Actors Guild Award recognition. Her other acting work includes the film Like a House on Fire.
Some online biographies incorrectly give Sarah’s birth year as 1998. That date conflicts with established information about Camelia and Kiefer’s marriage. Sarah was born in 1988, during their marriage.
Camelia Kath as a Mother
Camelia raised two daughters from two different marriages.
Her first daughter, Michelle, lost her biological father when she was very young. Kiefer later became a father figure in Michelle’s household during his marriage to Camelia.
Camelia was described as a hands-on parent during her marriage to Kiefer. The family also had help from a nanny.
Both daughters eventually entered entertainment, although in different areas. Michelle became involved in production and documentary work, while Sarah became an actress.
Camelia Kath and Jeff Lynne
Camelia later developed a relationship with British musician Jeff Lynne.
The couple have made several public appearances together. They were photographed at a myeloma-related charity event in 2012 and were seen together at Los Angeles International Airport in September 2016.
Some sources report that Camelia and Jeff married in 2017.
They have continued to appear together publicly. In June 2023, Camelia accompanied Jeff to the 52nd Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City.
Public Appearances
Camelia occasionally attends entertainment events, particularly those connected with her family.
She attended the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2016 in connection with The Terry Kath Experience.
She has also appeared alongside Jeff Lynne at public and industry events, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala in 2023.
Despite her connections to several famous entertainers, Camelia does not make frequent public appearances.
Camelia Kath’s Net Worth
Camelia Kath’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some celebrity biography websites estimate it at about $1.4 million, but there is no authoritative financial information confirming this amount.
Her wealth should also be considered separately from Jeff Lynne’s finances.
Social Media
Camelia does not appear to maintain a major public social media presence.
No widely recognized verified Instagram, Facebook, or X account belonging to her is established in the information collected for this article.
Interesting Facts
- Camelia Kath was born on September 22, 1953, in Puerto Rico.
- Some sources identify her as Camelia Emily Ortiz Kath.
- She worked as an actress and behind the scenes in television.
- Her acting credits include Terror on Tour, Fake-Out, Buchanan High, and The Killing Time.
- She worked on The Nanny in the late 1990s.
- Her first husband was Chicago guitarist Terry Kath.
- Terry Kath died in an accidental shooting in 1978.
- Camelia and Terry had one daughter, Michelle Kath.
- She married Kiefer Sutherland in 1987.
- Camelia and Kiefer had a daughter, Sarah Sutherland.
- Their marriage ended around 1990.
- Sarah became an actress and is best known for Veep.
- Michelle produced The Terry Kath Experience about her father.
- Camelia later became the partner of ELO musician Jeff Lynne.
- Some sources report that Camelia and Jeff Lynne married in 2017.
- Camelia has generally maintained a private life in recent years.
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