Josephine Baker – Bio, Net Worth, Height

Josephine Baker – Bio, Net Worth, Height

origin
Josephine Baker was an American-born French singer, dancer, and civil rights activist. She rose to fame in France in the 1920s. Her film credits include Zouzou (1934) and Princesse Tam-Tam (1935). She contributed to the French Resistance during World War II. Baker was born Freda Josephine MacDonald on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was a washerwoman and her father, Eddie Carson, was a musician. She grew up in poverty, without her father by her side. Baker dropped out of school to support his family. She has worked various jobs, including cleaning, babysitting and waitress.

Profession
Baker became a dancer when she was a teenager. She started touring with the Jones Family Band and later Dixie Steppers at the age of 16. Baker sang for the musical comedy “Shuffle Also” in 1923. She then moved to New York City to perform on Broadway’s “Chocolate Playboy.” She is also known for her performance at the Plantation Club.

Baker moved to Paris, France in 1925. That year she performed at La Revue Negre at the Champs-Élysées. She introduced her “Dancing Wild” with dance partner Joe Alex. In 1926 Baker performed “La Folie du Jour” at the Folies Bergere concert hall. She quickly became one of the most popular and highest-paid performers in Europe. Baker made his professional singing debut in 1930. Four years later, she made her big-screen debut in the French film Go Go (1934). She starred in “Zouzou” opposite Jean Gabin. The film is directed by Marc Allegret. Her film credits also include Princess Tam-Tam (1935), Tropical Kraken (1927) and Moulin Rouge (1941). She was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1976.

Baker became a naturalized French citizen in 1937. She served as a spy for the French Resistance during World War II. She also worked with the Red Cross and as a member of the Free French Forces. For her contributions, she was awarded the Cross and the Legion of Honor. After the war, Baker concentrated on developing her estate, Les Milandes. She retired in 1956 but returned three years later for financial reasons. Her estate was eventually sold in 1968 to pay off outstanding debts. Baker traveled to the United States several times to support different civil rights causes. In March 1963, she marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington.

personal
Josephine Baker died on April 12, 1975, at the age of 68. The cause of her death was a brain hemorrhage, according to reports. She died in her sleep in a hospital in Paris, France. Baker is 5 feet 7 inches tall and of African descent. She is bisexual and has been married four times. Her husbands were William Wells (1919-20), William Baker (1921-25), Jean Leon (1937-28) and Jobuillon (1947-61). From 1973 until her death in 1975, she had a relationship with the artist “Robert Brady”. Baker has 12 adopted children, including restaurateur Jean-Claude Baker. Because of their different races, they are called “Rainbow Children”.

Photo by Karl van Wecherten [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Josephine Baker real name, birthday, wiki

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