Josephine Baker

Date of Birth: June 3, 1906

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 12, 1975

Biography

Josephine Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, was an American-born French entertainer, renowned for her contributions as a dancer, singer, and actress. Born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, Baker rose to fame in the 1920s for her sensational performances in Paris, France. She became a symbol of the Jazz Age and was one of the most celebrated performers to headline the revues of the Folies Bergère. Her exotic beauty and unique dance style, which often incorporated elements of African dance and vaudeville, captivated audiences and made her an international star. Beyond her entertainment career, Josephine Baker was also a dedicated civil rights activist. During World War II, she worked with the French Resistance and received the Croix de Guerre and the Rosette de la Résistance for her efforts. After the war, she became a vocal opponent of racial segregation in the United States and was known for adopting children from various ethnic backgrounds, whom she referred to as her “Rainbow Tribe.” Josephine Baker passed away on April 12, 1975, in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking performances and tireless advocacy for racial equality.

5 Interesting Facts about Josephine Baker

1. Josephine Baker was the first African American woman to star in a major motion picture, “Zouzou” (1934).

2. She was awarded the highest decoration in France, the Légion d’honneur, for her contributions to the French Resistance during World War II.

3. Baker adopted 12 children from various countries, creating what she called her “Rainbow Tribe.”

4. She was a spy for the French Resistance during World War II, using her celebrity status to gather intelligence.

5. Josephine Baker’s “Banana Dance” costume, which consisted of a skirt made of artificial bananas, became one of her most iconic looks.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Josephine Baker

1. “I have two loves, my country and Paris.”

2. “The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.”

3. “Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul, when birthplaces have the weight of a throw of the dice, and all men are born free.”

4. “Beautiful? It’s all a question of luck. I was born with good legs. As for the rest, beautiful, no. Amusing, yes.”

5. “I wasn’t really naked. I simply didn’t have any clothes on.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Josephine Baker achieved was estimated to be around $1 million at the height of her career, which would be significantly more in today’s dollars due to inflation.

Children

Josephine Baker had no biological children but adopted 12 children from different ethnic backgrounds. These children were: 1. Akio (Korean) 2. Janot (Japanese) 3. Jari (Finnish) 4. Jean-Claude (French) 5. Jannot (Japanese) 6. Koffi (Ivory Coast) 7. Luis (Colombian) 8. Mara (Venezuelan) 9. Moïse (Israeli) 10. Noël (French) 11. Stellina (Moroccan) 12. Brahim (Algerian)