Josephine Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josephine Baker
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Baker in her banana costume
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| Born |
Freda Josephine McDonald
3 June 1906 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | 12 April 1975 (aged 68) Paris, France
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| Resting place | Monaco Cemetery |
| Nationality | American (renounced) French (from 1937) |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist, vedette, singer, Decorated World War II Spy |
| Years active | 1921–1975 |
| Spouse(s) |
Willie Wells
(m. 1919; div. 1919)William Baker
(m. 1921; div. 1925)Jean Lion
(m. 1937–1940)Jo Bouillon
(m. 1947; div. 1961) |
| Partner(s) | Robert Brady (1973–75) |
| Children | adopted 12 children; informal Jean-Claude Baker |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Columbia, Mercury, RCA Victor |
Josephine Baker (born Freda Josephine McDonald; 3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an amazing American-born French entertainer, activist, and a secret agent during World War II. She spent most of her career in Europe, especially in France, which became her adopted home.
Early in her career, Josephine was famous as a dancer. She was one of the biggest stars at the Folies Bergère, a famous music hall in Paris. Her performance in a show called Un vent de folie in 1927 was a huge hit. Her most famous costume was a skirt made only of bananas. This outfit became a symbol of the Jazz Age and the 1920s.
Artists and thinkers of her time gave her special nicknames like the "Black Pearl," the "Bronze Venus," and the "Creole Goddess." Josephine was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. In 1937, she gave up her American citizenship and became a French citizen after marrying a French businessman named Jean Lion. She raised her many children in France. She once said, "I have two loves, my country and Paris."
Josephine Baker was the first person of color to become a worldwide entertainer. She also starred in a major movie, Zouzou, in 1934.
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Fighting for Civil Rights
Josephine Baker strongly believed in equal rights for everyone. She refused to perform for audiences in the United States if they were separated by race. She made many important contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1968, after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, his wife, Coretta Scott King, asked Josephine to take on a leadership role in the movement. After thinking carefully, Josephine decided not to accept the offer. She was worried about the safety and well-being of her children.
A World War II Hero
Josephine Baker was also a hero during World War II. She secretly helped the French Resistance, a group that fought against the German occupation of France.
After the war, the French military honored her with the Croix de guerre medal. She was also made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle, one of France's most important leaders.
Later Life and Passing
In her later years, Josephine Baker became a Roman Catholic.
She continued to perform on stage around the world. She was at the Olympia in Paris in 1968, in Belgrade in 1973, and at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1973. She also performed at the Royal Variety Performance in London in 1974.
On 8 April 1975, Josephine Baker starred in a new show in Paris called Joséphine à Bobino 1975. This show celebrated her 50 years in entertainment. Important people like Prince Rainier and Princess Grace helped pay for the show. It was a huge success, and many famous people like Sophia Loren and Mick Jagger came to watch.
Just four days later, on 12 April 1975, Josephine Baker passed away peacefully at age 68. She was found in her bed surrounded by newspapers filled with wonderful reviews of her last performance.
She had a full Roman Catholic funeral in Paris. Josephine Baker was the only American-born woman to receive full French military honors at her funeral. A very large crowd gathered for her procession. After a family service, she was buried in Monaco's Cimetière de Monaco.
Josephine Baker's Legacy
Many places and honors remember Josephine Baker. A public square in Paris, Place Joséphine Baker, is named after her. She is also in the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Hall of Famous Missourians. In 2015, she was added to the Legacy Walk in Chicago, Illinois. There's even a swimming pool in Paris along the Seine River called the Piscine Joséphine Baker.
A dance teacher named Darren Royston said that Josephine Baker was like the Beyoncé of her time. He said she helped bring the Charleston dance to Britain. Two of Josephine's sons, Jean-Claude and Jarry, opened a restaurant together in New York City called Chez Josephine. It celebrates her life and work.
Château des Milandes, a beautiful castle in France, was Josephine Baker's home. This is where she raised her twelve adopted children. Today, the castle is open to the public. You can see her stage outfits, including her famous banana skirt, and many family photos. Her Legion of Honour medal is also on display.
Josephine Baker continues to inspire people today. In 2003, actress Angelina Jolie said that Josephine was a role model for the diverse, international family she wanted to create through adoption. In 2006, Beyoncé performed Josephine's banana dance at a concert.
On 3 June 2017, which would have been Josephine's 111th birthday, Google created a special animated Google Doodle to celebrate her life and achievements.
Images for kids
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Baker, around 1908
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Baker in her banana costume in 1927
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Baker in uniform in 1948
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Baker in Havana, Cuba, in 1950
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Baker in Amsterdam, 1954
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Baker with ten of her adopted children, 1964
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Josephine Baker's signature on her 1937 French citizenship papers
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Baker at the Château des Milandes, 1961
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Place Joséphine Baker in Paris
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Château des Milandes which she rented from 1940 before purchasing in 1947.
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Josephine Baker in the Panthéon.
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See also
In Spanish: Joséphine Baker para niños
