Josephine baker parents
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Josephine Baker
American-born French dancer, singer, resistance member and actress (1906–1975)
For other people named Josephine Baker, see Josephine Baker (disambiguation).
Josephine Baker | |
|---|---|
Baker in 1940 | |
| Born | Freda Josephine McDonald (1906-06-03)June 3, 1906 St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Died | April 12, 1975(1975-04-12) (aged 68) Paris, France |
| Resting place | Panthéon |
| Nationality | American (renounced) French (1937–1975) |
| Occupation(s) | Vedette, singer, dancer, actress, civil rights activist, French Resistance agent |
| Years active | 1921–1975 |
| Spouses | Willie Wells (m. 1919; div. 1919)William Baker (m. 1921; div. 1925)Jean Lion (m. 1937; div. 1940)Jo Bouillon (m. 1947; div. 1961) |
| Partner(s) | Robert Brady (1973–1975) |
| Children | 12; Jean-Claude Baker presented himself as her foster son (contested by the B
World renowned performer, World War II spy, and activist are few of the titles used to describe Josephine Baker. One of the most successful African American performers in French history, Baker’s career illustrates the ways entertainers can use their platforms to change the world. On June 3, 1906, Freda Josephine McDonald was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents, both entertainers, performed throughout the segregated Midwest often bringing her on stage during their shows. Unfortunately, their careers never took off, forcing the young Baker to look for odd jobs to survive. If she was unable to find work she would often dance on the streets, collecting money from onlookers. Eventually, her routine caught the attention of an African American theatre troupe. At the age of 15, Baker ran off and began to perform with the group. She also married during this time, taking her husband’s last name and dropping her first name, becoming Josephine Baker. Baker flourished as a dancer in several Vaudeville shows, which was a popular theatre genre in the 20th century. She eventually moved
Josephine Baker was born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis. Her family was so poor that a young Baker would search trash cans for headless dolls, which she would repair for her sisters. Less than 20 years later, she would be the toast of Paris—and little girls all over France would play with their very own Josephine Baker dolls. In Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart,Jean-Claude Baker (her unofficial adopted son) and Chris Chase track the action-packed life of the beloved dancer and singer, whose five (!) autobiographies managed to obscure her life story more than they illuminated it. According to The Hungry Heart, the eccentric, brilliant, sensitive, and erratic Baker befriended politicians including Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, and Juan Perón. She was less friendly with her fellow performers—Marlene Dietrich, she said more than once (per the book), was “that German cow.” Maurice Chevalier was “a great artist but a small man.” Years later, Diana Ross would recall her meeting with Baker: “Josephine came, stood in front of me, put her fingers into my hair, and pulled hard. I Copyright ©aimbomb.pages.dev 2025 |