Josephine Baker was an American-born entertainer, civil rights activist, and member of the French Resistance during World War II. She became famous in Europe for her exotic dancing and entertaining shows. She supported the American civil rights movement and adopted 12 ethnically diverse orphans. Despite her legendary status, she faced financial struggles and was given an apartment by Princess Grace of Monaco. She died in 1975 and was buried in a Monaco cemetery.
Josephine Baker (1906-1975) was an entertainer, civil rights activist and member of the French Resistance during World War II. Though born in America, this descendant of South Carolina slaves and Apalachee Indians adopted France as her own when she was still a young woman.
Josephine Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, was originally from St. Louis, Missouri and came from humble beginnings. Her father, a vaudeville drummer by some accounts, may be the reason behind Josephine’s initial attraction to entertainment. As a child, she danced in the streets for a change, and at age 15 she joined the vaudeville line of the St. Louis choir. In the following years, Josephine Baker traveled to New York, where she appeared at the Plantation Club and Broadway choirs during a period known as the Harlem Renaissance. Even at this early stage of her career, Baker stood out from the crowds and women of her day, and by 1925 she was vaudeville’s highest-paid backup singer.
Josephine Baker’s life changed again when she toured Europe in 1925, performing at the Theater des Champs-Elysees. Away from America’s racism and its puritanical restrictions, Baker blossomed into an exotic dancer, coming up with wildly entertaining shows and gimmicks while on tour. In one show, she wore nothing but high heels and a banana belt around her waist to simulate a skirt. He also often had Chiquita, her pet leopard, with her on stage, occasionally leaping into the orchestra pit to prowl among the nervous musicians.
In the 1930s, Josephine Baker starred in a number of films and married her manager, Giuseppe Abatinao. With Madonna-like finesse, she has once again transformed herself from bawdy vaudeville entertainer into pop cultural icon. Fans of her included such famous personalities as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Pablo Picasso.
In the 1940s, Josephine Baker was so popular that even the Nazis left her unharmed in their invasion of France. She wanted to repay her adopted country for her success and was active in the underground French resistance during World War II. The French government later awarded Josephine Baker the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War).
Throughout the 1950s, Baker remained in France, but actively and passionately supported the American civil rights movement. He’s been through several marriages and a hysterectomy that left her unable to bear children, but she’s adopted 12 ethnically diverse orphans, whom he’s called his rainbow tribe.
While Baker’s success in Europe was phenomenal, he never enjoyed the same degree of popularity in his native America. However, by the 1970s, the civil rights movement had made sufficient progress, which Baker had helped by refusing to perform in segregated clubs. Josephine Baker appeared at Carnegie Hall in 1973 to a standing ovation, openly weeping in response. Although she achieved legendary status, Baker’s career was winding down and money became an issue. Princess Grace of Monaco, a former American actress and friend, gave Baker an apartment.
Baker’s last performance was starring in a 50-year retrospective of her life entitled Josephine. She opened in Paris at Club Bobino to stellar reviews, but she wouldn’t live to enjoy the ride. A week later, on April 8, 1975, Josephine Baker died of a brain hemorrhage. She was reportedly found in bed, surrounded by newspapers full of editorial praise for the show.
Josephine Baker was cremated, given a public funeral procession including French military honors, and buried in a Monaco cemetery. She has also been inducted into the St. Louis Hall of Fame. “The Black Venus,” as she was sometimes called, remains a historical figure of great talent, diversity, will and courage.
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