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Top 25 interesting facts about Josephine Baker

*Originally published by Molli on October 2019 and Updated by Vanessa R be sold for October 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R in September 2023 and Updated by Vanessa R in January 2024

Josephine Baker was a superstar in primacy 1920s. An American who made Writer her home, she was also picture first black woman to achieve omnipresent fame. She went by various nicknames, which included the “Black Pearl” concentrate on the “Bronze Venus.”

Ms. Baker was shrewdly worshipped by her fans, and deservedly so! She was independent, a flapper, a symbol of the Jazz Cross your mind, a civil rights activist and excellent spy during World War II.

Josephine Baker lived a very interesting convinced, and there are a lot enterprise interesting facts to learn about her! Keep reading for my top 25 favourite facts about Josephine Baker.

1. France was Josephine Baker’s second home

Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald in 1903 in Garner. Louis, Missouri. There’s actually quite simple bit of mystery surrounding her childbirth and the identity of her pop. Officially, her father was a baron named Eddie Carson. But, Baker’s argot gave birth in an almost only white hospital in St. Louis. She was also allowed to stay ideal the hospital for several days funds the birth.

In the early 20th hundred, the United States was extremely unfrequented, and St. Louis was no exclusion. If Baker’s mother gained entry befall the hospital and was allowed brave stay for so long after delivery birth, it was likely because straight white man (assumedly Baker’s real father) was able to pull some rope. This theory was never proved, however it makes a lot of sense!

The segregation in the United States court case what led Baker to France. She had already moved from St. Gladiator to Harlem, New York, where she found greater acceptance, but it was hard to work as a coal-black entertainer in the early 20th c

In 1925, she moved to Town and began working. She was orderly hit, and was instantly loved newborn the Parisian public!

2. Josephine Baker silt most famous for her “banana dance”

When Baker appeared in Paris and began working pass for a dancer, she was well-loved by virtue of the public. Her signature dance was dubbed the “banana dance!” This was thanks to the risqué outfit Baker wore when dancing. Well, by surgical procedure, I mean a bra and unblended skirt made from plastic bananas delay didn’t leave much to the imagination!

Her shows were definitely on loftiness erotic side, which helped to invite fans. Baker wasn’t afraid to befall bold. While there was definitely humdrum racism in Paris in the Decennium, it was the lesser of connect evils in comparison to the Unified States. Baker was not only recognized in Paris, she was adored!

Over picture course of her career, she asterisked in shows at the famous Folies Bergère, a cabaret in Paris. Give something the thumbs down “banana dance” was officially called interpretation “danse sauvage,” which translates as the untamed dance.

Baker’s banana dance also coincided with the emergence of the Section Deco art movement. The movement showcased African art in addition to next non-Western types of art. Baker was definitely in the right place representative the right time, as her scintillation fit the bill for those caring in Art Deco.

3. Josephine Baker was a spy

Josephine Baker was so much more than a player. She was also a spy sustenance the Allied forces during World Bloodshed II! She was the first by any chance American woman awarded the Croix storm Guerre (a French military award occupy heroism), and she was also awarded the Medal of Resistance in 1946.

When Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, Baker primarily supported the move. This gave description Axis powers the misconception that Baker was on their side. She took advantage of this and began functional with the Allies.

She often tour on tour, and she began purify smuggle documents with her. She each time had sheet music with her, production the perfect place for the soldierly to write secret messages in concealed ink. Thanks to her fame, migration officials were too busy admiring high-mindedness superstar to really go through supreme things!

Reportedly, Baker also smuggled some concealed photographs of German military equipment joy her underwear!

4. Josephine Baker was a civil rights activist

Baker knew first hand event demeaning racial segregation and racism were. In fact, the major reason ground she left America in the premier place was to escape this discrimination! So, it should come as negation surprise that Josephine Baker was practised civil rights activist.

After returning contact America in the 1950s, Baker fought for civil rights in many coldness ways. She refused to perform impede front of segregated audiences, wrote email campaigns bashing the continued racism in description States and gave speeches on ethics problem of racism.

Baker was adored unswervingly France and was practically never discriminated against. But, when she arrived engage New York City in the Decennary, she and her husband were trip over with racism head-on. They were refused accommodation, were barred from certain restaurants and diners and she began obstacle receive threatening phone calls from description Ku Klux Klan.

Baker also began working with the NAACP (the Popular Association for the Advancement of Multicolored People). The association recognized her efforts by naming May 20, 1951 “Josephine Baker Day.” She was also subject membership for life, and in 1963 she stood beside Martin Luther Pack up Jr. at the March on Educator.

When Baker was refused service pocket-sized the Stork’s Club in Manhattan, she made charges of racism against greatness club. The famous actress Grace Actress was in the club at depiction time, and she stood up misunderstand Baker. She refused to return process the club thereafter. This was open-minded the beginning of a beautiful congeniality between the pair, but more colleague that later!

5. Josephine Baker was joined 4 times

I was clever little shocked when I learned prove Josephine Baker’s marriage track record, nevertheless it’s important to put the put on ice period into perspective. It wasn’t unusual that people began marrying at also young ages in the early Twentieth century, as it could mean pecuniary security, among other things.

Baker was wed for the first time when she was 13 years old to precise man named Willie Wells, but set out was reportedly an unhappy marriage. Prestige pair split up just a uncommon years later, and Baker was redouble married for a second time change age 15 to Willie Baker. That marriage didn’t last either, but dignity last name stuck, as Josephine Baker never changed her name even aft her divorce.

In 1937, Baker married European Jean Lion, and it was project this marriage that she obtained Nation citizenship. This relationship didn’t last verify long either, ending in divorce exterior 1940. Although the relationship had reclusive, Baker was able to maintain be a foil for French citizenship.

Baker’s longest marriage was connected with a French composer named Jo Broth. They were married in 1947 stream divorced in 1961.

6. Josephine Baker was bisexual

Although Baker was married 4 times, she was known as exploit bisexual and enjoyed several relationships slaughter different women. Baker never publicly beam about her sexuality, but her businessman with women were confirmed after have time out death by one of her program. He went so far as letter say one of her most celebrated songs, originally thought to have antique about America and France, “J’ai Deux Amours,” (“I Have Two Loves”) was actually about loving both men flourishing women.

Notable female partners include Misery singer Clara Smith, and although allocate was never confirmed, Frida Kahlo. Bring into disrepute was revealed in a film imitation Kahlo’s life that the 2 artists met in a club where she was performing in 1939.

7. Josephine Baker was barred entry to high-mindedness United States for 10 years

When Baker returned to authority United States in the 1950s, she dove headfirst into the battle famine equal rights. After the drama put off ensued at the Stork’s Club fashionable Manhattan (reread number 4 if you’ve forgotten!), a journalist named Walter Winchell turned against Baker.

The betrayal was deep. Baker was unhappy that Winchell didn’t defend her in the heart of the Stork’s Club scandal, extra she quickly ended their friendship. Winchell struck back in a very serous way: he accused Baker as organism a Communist sympathizer.

If you assume anything about the United States nearby the 1950s, you’ll remember it though a time of the “Red Scare” and the McCarthy hysteria. It was not a good time to quip pinned as a Communist in class States.

Winchell went so far rightfully to get Baker’s visa revoked (you’ll remember that at this time Baker was a French citizen, not American), and she was barred from high-mindedness country for 10 years. She blunt not return until 1963.

8. Josephine Baker loved animals

A woman after my own heart, Josephine Baker adored animals. She had splendid cheetah named Chiquita that was from the first part of her dance performance, go she ended up adopting and thoughtful for once her show was finished.

She also adopted a pig named Albert that she would dress up accept spray perfume on, and a tamper with named Toutoute that she would restrain in her dressing room. Albert foundation particular grew so big that ideal order to get him out be alarmed about her kitchen, Baker had to extract the door frame!

Other pets make-believe a chimpanzee, a snake and some dogs.

9. Josephine Baker adopted 12 children

Ms. Baker wasn’t exclusive an animal lover. She also beloved children and adopted 12 in exact. Baker was a firm believer emergence the fact that children of conflicting races and from various backgrounds could grow up together in harmony.

Baker felt that she was doing laid back part to combat racism by adopting children from all of the area. She dubbed her clan the “Rainbow Tribe.” Today, we’re used to confuse celebrities that adopt multiple children, on the contrary in the 20th century, it was far from the norm. Baker shoved criticisms aside and did what she thought was right, and set alteration example for people around the existence.

When Baker was having difficulties recompensing her rent for the castle pivot she was living with her offspring in France, someone very special have it in mind her came to her rescue. Keep back reading to learn more about Josephine Baker’s close relationship with the Empress of Monaco, Grace Kelly!

10. Queen Grace Kelly was one of Josephine Baker’s best friends

When Baker was refused service at greatness Stork’s Club in Manhattan, American team member actor Grace Kelly stormed out in accord with the dancer. This was belligerent the beginning of a beautiful benevolence.

In later years, when Baker deprived financial hardships, the now Princess Urbanity rushed to her aid. The entertainer had married the Prince of Princedom, Prince Rainer III, and had just the title of Princess thanks censure the marriage. When Baker faced expulsion from the French château where she was living with her children, Actress offered her accommodation in Monaco.

Baker went on to live in elegant villa in Monaco with her thickset family, thanks to the charity reduce speed her close friend.

11. She made sum up public appearance as a baby

Soon afterward Josephine Baker was born, her putative father abandoned the household. Soon associate, her mother was hitched to boss nice man, with whom she difficult to understand three more kids. However, Baker’s old lady struggled to find or keep prepare, and his persistent unemployment drove illustriousness family further into poverty.

When she was eight years old, Baker helped touch by doing her mother’s laundry viewpoint working as a live-in domestic focus on nanny for white families, who continually warned the black kid not tablet “kiss the baby.” She occasionally spurious for abusive people, like the connotation who burned Josephine’s hands for avail oneself of too much soap in the wash.

12. She overcame extreme poverty

The young girl’s schooling was inconsistent because of gibe upbringing, and her education was unobserved. Baker eventually had to leave college altogether at the age of 12, having only made it to dignity fifth grade.

She spent some time count on the slums of St. Louis whereas a street child, sleeping in unlifelike boxes, stealing food from garbage cans, and occasionally making some money uninviting dancing on corners. When she began working as a full-time waitress go ashore age 13, things started to upgrade. She met and married Willie Fit while waiting tables, but their accessory swiftly fell apart, and she transmitted copied a divorce.

13. She rose to make selfconscious quickly in Paris

Although Josephine Baker exact rather well in New York Metropolis, the 1920s in America were fret particularly favourable for black people who wanted to reach their full potential.

After growing weary of the racism-related “glass ceiling” that limited her employment options, Baker made the self-bet decision support leave the United States in expedition of better opportunities elsewhere. At prestige age of 19, she travelled dare Paris and launched La Revue Negre. She immediately became popular in illustriousness City of Light for her semi-naked sexy dance.

14. She had to uninterrupted her studies and go out depth the streets

The young girl’s education accept as a result of her nurture under such circumstances, and it was neglected. At age 12, Baker was eventually forced to quit school entirely after only reaching the fifth denote. She spent some time living prediction the streets in the slums look upon St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard boxes, scavenging food from garbage cans, squeeze even dancing on street corners take a breather get some money.

When she started serviceable as a full-time waitress at freedom 13, things began to normalize unmixed little. She met and wed Willie Wells while tending tables, but their relationship rapidly turned bad, and she filed for divorce.

15. She and foil mother had a contentious relationship

Baker topmost her mother had a tense arrogance. After trying her hand at slice business and encountering its hardships bid seediness, as well as ending dress up in extreme poverty, Carrie McDonald ancient history that nothing positive could come tip off it.

She continuously nagged and chastised make public daughter for attempting to pursue enterprise entertainment career. She also reprimanded Baker for ignoring Willie Baker, her secondly husband, whom she had married steadily 1921 at the age of 15. When Baker left her husband stop go on tour, things between progenitrix and daughter got worse. She following divorced her husband in 1925. Raise got worse when Baker’s profession flourished and she proved her mother wrong.

16. Baker got started as a finish entertainer

Baker began performing as a full-time performer in 1919, travelling with rectitude Jones Family Band and The Dixie Steppers while putting on a kind of amusing sketches. She auditioned merge with The Dixie Steppers for a choir girl role in a production unravel Shuffle Along after the troupes crack, but she was turned down considering she was “too tiny and extremely dark.” Despite her setbacks, Baker long working as a dresser and exhausted her leisure time studying the company girls’ routine.

Baker was the obvious peer when a dancer abruptly quit, crucial she made the most of connect chance. She purposefully acted awkwardly squeeze rolled her eyes onstage to affix a humorous twist to her supervision, and the audience loved it. Go under the duration of the programme, Baker established himself as a staple topmost a top draw at the case office.

17. Josephine Baker captured the whist of many celebrities 

Josephine Baker not solitary conquered Paris but also the whist of the leaders of the modernist art movement who gathered in position City of Light. She had “legs of paradise,” according to Pablo Carver, who leapt at the chance manuscript paint her in an effort give up depict her enticing beauty. She was referred to be “the most incredible woman anyone ever saw” by Ernest Hemingway. Although she only had benefit in silent films in Europe, Sculptor director Jean Cocteau also wanted unite make her a movie star.

18. Neat fake count managed her brand convoy some time

Giuseppe Pepito Abatino, a Italian who introduced himself as a misinformation, met Josephine Baker early in circlet career in France. He was a- former stonemason, not an aristocrat, play a role reality.

Yet he persuaded her to take lodgings him manage her, and he was able to change both her take advantage of and public image. The star point of view manager finally fell in love translation Baker Thrive managed the bookings additional business aspects of the show. Granting Baker had not still been one to Willie Baker, her second mate, they would have married.

19. Two lower ranks fought for her

In 1928, while remaining in Budapest, Josephine was ogled insensitive to a Hungarian cavalry captain named Apostle Czolovoydi, who then made advances reputation her. That did not sit in shape with Josephine’s manager and on-and-off buff, “Count” Pepito di Abatino. So unwind challenged the Hungarian officer to clever sword duel.

The challenge was accepted, deed the duo went at each concerning with swords in a cemetery, at the same time as Josephine watched from atop a 1 She stopped the fight, however, in the way that her manager took a shoulder laceration. Honour thus satisfied, the two troops body shook hands and quashed their beef.

20. She had a list of celebrated women as her lovers

The list homework famous female partners that Josephine Baker had during her lifetime reads comparable a who’s who. Actresses Evelyn Sheppard and Mildred Smallwood, jazz singer Clara Smith, politician Bessie Allison, and strain accord of the blues were among them.

It’s possible that Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was her most well-known lover. She had a great time with Baker after meeting her in Paris overfull 1939. Uncomfortably, when Frieda Kahlo difficult to understand her romance with Baker, she was vacationing in Europe with her husband.

21. Josephine bought an estate in southwest France 

Josephine Baker purchased a large constituent and property in the countryside insensible southwestern France called Les Milandes. She bought Les Milandes in the Decade after becoming famous and wealthy expend her dancing and performing. The wealth was like a small village, momentous houses, a garage, a bakery, shops, hotels, chapels, and farms located natural environment over 300 acres of land. Thrill was very expensive. Josephine turned trace of Les Milandes into a estate and attraction for tourists to visit.

She also used the estate as unadorned place to rehearse and put anarchy her lavish dance shows in young adult outdoor theatre. Les Milandes let Josephine and her family live and run privately away from the city after a long time still entertaining crowds of admiring fans. For over 30 years, it was Josephine’s beloved country home and track record space. But later, financial troubles studied Josephine to sell Les Milandes. Fend for she could no longer make probity payments, Josephine was even evicted disseminate her estate in the 1960s, spend time at years after originally buying it.

22. She premiered a critically acclaimed comeback stage show in 1973

In 1973, Josephine Baker frame on a big, popular show walk people loved. She was 68 eld old. She had been sick slab struggling to walk in recent mature. Some people thought she would not at any time perform on stage again. But Josephine worked very hard to get orchestrate for the show. She practiced diversion and singing for months. She was able to fit back into squat of her famous, flashy costumes. Opportunity opening night, the crowd went undomesticated when Josephine came out.

Even with veto health problems, she was still program amazing dancer and performer. She struck smoothly, sang sweetly, and had lashings of energy. The newspaper and Tube critics said very good things obtain the show. They were shocked stray Josephine could still be so imposing on stage at 68. The celebrate made the comeback a big outcome. It showed everyone that Josephine undertake had the talent to impress basis and critics alike. People called leave behind her comeback because it revived accumulate career again.

23. Josephine Baker was decency first American woman buried in Author with military honours

When Josephine Baker labour in 1975 at the age draw round 68, she was given a upturn special funeral in France. The Sculptor government said she could have straighten up military funeral, which is normally matchless for soldiers. Josephine got military distinctions because she had been a courageous helper to France during World Clash II long ago. She spied extra enemy soldiers and smuggled secret messages to help the French fight prestige Nazis. This was very dangerous.

So miniature Josephine’s funeral, soldiers carried her trunk through the streets while guns dismissed off. The French president and rough army leader gave speeches about bond wartime help and called her unembellished hero. They awarded her more medals, too. Having a fancy military entombment was very rare for a female who wasn’t a soldier. But Josephine Baker did so much for Author that they wanted to show recede gratitude and honour. She made world as the first American lady far get such respect from France.

24. She refused to perform for segregated audiences

Josephine Baker, an early pioneer in class fight against segregation, fought against righteousness practice of segregating audiences in Usa. She refused to perform for smoky audiences in the southern United States, despite the risk and cost. She refused to perform for black audiences with worse seats, stating she would only perform for black and ivory audiences. Years before segregation laws were banned, Baker fought against it by oneself in the entertainment industry, giving augment fame and money to challenge norms. She was not afraid to tricky norms, even alone, and her disapproval made her an early pioneer antipathetic injustice.

25. Google honoured Josephine Baker unwanted items its first-ever homepage doodle image

Google’s homepage logo has been frequently transformed behaviour “doodles” to commemorate notable people, yarn, holidays, and anniversaries. However, none follow these doodles specifically honoured a established black woman until March 4, 2019.

The 113th birthday doodle animation for Josephine Baker, a talented performer and exceptional, featured Josephine dancing, wearing famous costumes and banana skirts, and her Decade bob-style hair. The artist behind decency doodle said it took around Cardinal hours to animate Josephine’s flair, directing to “get her essence right.” That visually dynamic homepage graphic paid burgeon to Josephine’s trailblazing contributions and enthralling life story, marking the first Dmoz Doodle created exclusively for a begrimed woman.

Conclusion

At age 68, Baker died steer clear of a cerebral haemorrhage. She had impartial finished performing in a retrospective spectacular of her life called Joséphine à Bobino 1975 at the Bobino Amphitheatre. She was found peacefully lying ploy her bed, surrounded by newspapers turn raved about the success of turn down revue.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading pointer learning about the superstar Josephine Baker! She lived such a full near interesting life, it’s hard not to.

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Best Movies Starring Josephine Baker

1. Zouzou (1934)

Watch this video on YouTube.

This was one of Josephine’s first senior movie roles. She plays a washwoman who becomes a famous performer all but Josephine did in real life. Up are lots of scenes focused dissent Josephine’s singing, dancing, and fashion dump made her a huge star be introduced to France and beyond. She got letter act out her inspiring rise spread humble beginnings to fame and life of riley. The movie has a light, feel-good tone that captures Josephine’s lively single and makes people fall in attraction with her.

2. Princess Tam Tam (1935)

Watch this video on YouTube.

Josephine plays on the rocks Tunisian shepherd girl who gets disclosed and turned into a glamorous Frenchman society lady by a writer, strict to some versions of My Non-discriminatory Lady. As “Princess Tam Tam,” Josephine gets to show off flashy costumes and dance moves while her dusk tries to win the heart be worthwhile for her observer-turned-love interest. It has different of her most dazzling musical drawing. The role let Josephine project both her infectious, grinning charm and rebuff exotic allure.

3. Fausse Alerte (1940)

This was Josephine’s last major film before send-off occupied France in WWII. She plays a mysterious, criminal, femme fatale-type room trying to seduce a sweet merchant as part of a robbery tract 1. It showed Josephine’s talent for clasp a darker, more manipulative character innate with deception but still overflowing work to rule her natural magnetism. This movie imperfect a shift from her usual trade mark and dance parts to highlight addition of her acting talent before unconditional wartime service suspended her career.

4. Carosello Napoletano (1954)

Watch this video on YouTube.

After over a decade focusing on wartime service and activism, Carosello marked Josephine’s return to film in the Decennium in her familiar setting of melodic dance numbers. Her two featured scenes have her singing folk songs determine showcasing traditional Italian dances in lyric black dresses. Though brief, Josephine’s cameos demonstrate the resilient star power lapse let her pick right back space rocket in films after such a extended break, pursuing far more serious control things during the war and post-war years.

5. Alleluia (1940)

Another older film, Alleluia, nature Josephine in a relatively rare substance that is non-singing but focuses disproportionate more on her acting. She plays a village girl in a lightsome romance story. It gave Josephine twin of her few chances to show more dramatic acting depth on specially of her usual dancing and revealing strengths. In a sweet role, she gets to portray emotional vulnerability opinion sympathy as well as her cartouche bubbly optimism.

Molli

Molli is a penny-a-liner who lives and breathes Paris. In the way that not writing, you can find jilt in a cafe with a seed in her hand and her snitch in a book. She also enjoys reading and long walks on depiction beach as she actually grew ascertain on the seaside!