Josephine Baker

NAME: Josephine Baker

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Renowned French-American entertainer, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist.

BIRTH: Born Freda Josephine McDonald (later Joséphine Baker) on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Josephine Baker was born into a large, impoverished African-American family. Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was a washerwoman, and her father's identity is uncertain.

CHILDHOOD: Baker had a challenging childhood, growing up in poverty in St. Louis. 

At the tender age of 12, Baker abandoned the classroom, trading textbooks for the rough-and-tumble streets of the slums. Yet, somehow, amidst the grime and hardship, she blossomed a performer. By 15, she was shimmying across vaudeville stages, a testament to the sheer irrepressible force of her personality.

She was nicknamed "Trumpy" as a child. Thankfully, her childhood nickname never quite stuck.

EDUCATION: Baker's formal education was limited, and she dropped out of school at the age of 12 to work as a domestic servant.

CAREER RECORD: Baker rose to fame as a dancer and singer in Paris during the 1920s. She became known for her provocative performances and charismatic stage presence. Throughout her career, she appeared in numerous films, stage productions, and music recordings. Here's her resume:

Began career dancing in vaudeville shows in the US.

Faced discrimination in the US entertainment industry.

Achieved international fame in Paris with the "Revue Nègre" (later deemed offensive).

Developed a signature performance style with elaborate costumes and energetic dancing.

Became a beloved star in France, starring in shows, films, and recordings.

During WWII, used her influence and performances to support the French Resistance, smuggling messages.

Returned to the US after the war and became a civil rights activist, facing segregation again.

Continued performing internationally throughout her life.

APPEARANCE: Josephine Baker was known for her striking beauty, with her expressive eyes, radiant smile, and lithe figure. She adopted a shorter haircut and androgynous style later in her career.

Josephine Baker dancing the Charleston, 1926

Pablo Picasso said of Baker: "Tall, coffee skin, ebony eyes, legs of paradise, a smile to end all smiles."

FASHION: Baker was a fashion icon of her time, known for her glamorous and daring style both on and off the stage. She often wore extravagant costumes adorned with feathers and sequins.

Baker helped popularize African-inspired clothing and accessories

CHARACTER: Baker was known for her boldness, resilience, and determination. She was fiercely independent and unapologetically herself, breaking barriers and challenging social norms.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Baker had a playful and mischievous sense of humor, which she often incorporated into her performances.

RELATIONSHIPS: Baker was married four times throughout her life and had numerous romantic relationships. She once had a rejected (and dejected) suitor kill himself at her feet. 

Even the creator of the ever-gloomy Inspector Maigret, the Belgian author Georges Simenon, couldn't resist her charms. They had a brief fling in 1925, but poor Simenon couldn't handle being overshadowed. Started calling himself "Mr. Josephine," wouldn't you know it? All that existential angst must have paled next to Baker's sequined glory.

Her fourth husband was Joseph Bouillon, a French composer, conductor and violinist. they married n 1947 and divorced in 1961. 

With Bouillion, she adopted 12 children from different ethnic backgrounds and referred to them as her "Rainbow Tribe."

Baker bore only one child herself, stillborn in 1941, an incident which precipitated an emergency hysterectomy

MONEY AND FAME: Baker achieved immense fame and success during her career, becoming one of the highest-paid performers of her time. However, she also faced financial challenges and struggled with managing her wealth.

FOOD AND DRINK: Baker enjoyed French cuisine and was known for her love of champagne.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Baker was a talented singer and dancer, known for her energetic and captivating performances. She also had a deep appreciation for the arts and supported many artists and writers throughout her life. Baker was deeply influenced by African American music and dance traditions. 

Her journey to stardom took her to the vibrant heart of Harlem, New York City, where she danced her way into the spotlight at the renowned Cotton Club and the celebrated black revue Shuffle Along in 1921. 

But it was across the Atlantic, in the ever-so-slightly-more-sophisticated climes of Paris, that Baker truly found her place. 1925 saw her take to the stage of the Folies Bergere, not just any dancer, but one who would send audiences into a frenzy with her now-legendary banana dance – a fact that would likely elicit a bemused snort from most historians, but hey, who doesn't love a bit of well-placed fruit?

The French, those bastions of artistic appreciation, lapped it all up. Baker became a sensation, a whirlwind of charisma and audacity.  This, of course, was merely the opening act.  Baker, it turned out, was destined to become a superstar – the first Black one, at that. She shattered racial barriers left, right, and center, becoming the first Black woman in a major motion picture and the first to integrate an American concert hall. Not bad for a girl with a childhood nickname fit for a reality TV star.

LITERATURE: Baker was an avid reader and had a particular interest in literature that addressed issues of race, equality, and social justice.

NATURE: Baker found solace and inspiration in nature, often retreating to her estate in the French countryside to escape the pressures of fame.

Baker's Parisian home was less a house and more a zoological marvel. We're talking snakes draped around her neck like living jewelry, cheetahs named Chiquita strolling down the Champs-Elysées on diamond-studded leashes.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Baker enjoyed gardening and spending time with her children. She was also known to have a passion for horseback riding.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Baker's interests were primarily in the arts and humanities, and she did not have a significant background in science or mathematics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Baker was deeply spiritual and explored various philosophies and belief systems throughout her life, including Christianity and aspects of African spirituality.

Although based in France, Baker supported the American Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s. When she arrived in New York  she was refused reservations at 36 hotels because of racial discrimination. This led her to write several articles about segregation in the United States.

After Martin Luther King's assassination, his widow, Coretta Scott King, offered  Baker the unofficial leadership of the Civil Rights Movement – a powerful testament to her influence. But Baker, with her own unique brand of activism, politely declined.

Baker also worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her reputation as a crusader grew to such an extent that the NAACP had  May 20, 1951, declared "Josephine Baker Day". 

SCANDAL: Baker faced controversy throughout her career; she was sometimes slammed for her skimpy costumes and flamboyant performances and her "Revue Nègre" was later criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of African culture. However, she also garnered admiration and respect for her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

MILITARY RECORD: Baker served as a sub-lieutenant in the French Resistance during World War II, using her celebrity status to gather intelligence and assist the Allied effort. She became the first American-born woman to be awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military honor so impressive it probably came with a lifetime supply of berets.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Baker maintained a rigorous performance schedule throughout her career, but she struggled with various health issues later in life, including chronic pain, possibly due to injuries and a stroke.

HOMES: Josephine Baker's life was a whirlwind of movement, reflected in the many places she called home. Here are some key locations:

St. Louis, Missouri (1906-1920s): Born and raised here, facing poverty and racial discrimination.

Paris, France (1920s-1930s): Achieved international stardom on Parisian stages, establishing a home base in the City of Lights. 

New York City, USA (1930s-1940s): Returned to the US seeking wider acceptance but still faced segregation.

France (1940s-1975): Made France her permanent home after World War II, raising her adopted "Rainbow Tribe" family at various chateaus.

TRAVEL: Josephine Baker's career was fueled by constant travel. Here are some highlights:

Europe: Toured extensively across Europe, performing in major cities like Berlin, London, and Brussels.

North Africa: Her performances extended to North Africa, incorporating elements of the region's music and dance.

The Americas: Toured North and South America, facing both appreciation and resistance due to her race and performances.

DEATH: Josephine Baker passed away on April 12, 1975, in Paris, France, from a cerebral hemorrhage. She was 68 years old.  Despite some later financial difficulties, she died a national hero in France, with military honors at her funeral. After a family service at Saint-Charles Church in Monte Carlo, Baker was interred at Monaco's Cimetière de Monaco.

As a performer, Josephine Baker left her mark on various media formats:

Films: Early sound films like Siren of the Tropics (1927) captured her performances. Later films like Moulin Rouge (1939) featured her iconic image.

Recordings: She released numerous songs throughout her career, showcasing her singing talents alongside her dance performances.

Stage Performances: Countless shows and revues across the globe cemented her reputation as a captivating live performer.

ACHIEVEMENTS Josephine Baker's legacy goes beyond her captivating performances:

She revolutionized dance with her energetic style, elaborate costumes, and fusion of African and European influences.

As a Black woman, she achieved international fame in a time of segregation, opening doors for future artists.

Her bravery during WWII as a spy and courier for the French Resistance earned her military honors.

On August 23, 2021, it was announced that in November 2021 Baker would be interred in the Panthéon in Paris, the first black woman to receive one of the highest honors in France.