Remembering Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker 

(June 3, 1906-April 12, 1975)

Josephine Baker was the first African American to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall and to become a world famous entertainer. She was also active in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's.

Josephine Baker dropped out of school at the age of 12 and lived as a street child in the slums of St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard shelters and scavenging for food in garbage cans. Her street-corner dancing attracted attention and she was recruited for the St Louis chorus vaudeville show at the age of 15. She later became the highest paid chorus girl in vaudeville.

In 1925, she opened in Paris at the Theatre des Champs Elysees where she became an instant success for her erotic dancing and for appearing practically nude on stage. Later she appeared in the Folies Bergeres where she performed the Danse Sauvage, wearing a costume consisting of a skirt made of a string of artificial bananas.

Despite her popularity in France she never obtained the same reputation in America. In 1937 she returned to Paris married a Frenchman, Jean Lion, and became a French citizen.

On April 8, 1975, Josephine starred in a retrospective revue at Bobino in Paris, celebrating her 50 years in show business. The revue was financed by Prince Ranier, Princess Grace and Jackie Onassis. The show opened to rave reviews. Four days later, Josephine was found lying peacefully in her bed surrounded by newspapers with glowing reviews of her performance. She was taken to the hospital where she died at age 68 on April 12, 1975. She was the first American woman to receive full French military honors at her funeral. Josephine Baker locked up the streets of Paris one last time. She was interred at the Cimetière de Monaco in Monte Carlo. 

Note-In 1951, the newly famous Grace Kelly took a bold stand against a racist incident involving Josephine Baker. When the Sherman Billingsley's Stork Club in New York refused Baker as a customer, Grace Kelly, who was dining at the club when this happened, was so disgusted that she rushed over to Josephine (whom she had never met), took her by the arm, and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (and she never did). The two women became close friends after that night. When Josephine Baker was near bankruptcy, she was offered a villa and financial assistance by Princess Grace (by this time she had become The Princess of Monaco) and her husband Prince Ranier. The Princess was also the one who encouraged Jospehine Baker to return to performing and financed her triumphant comeback in 1975.  When Josephine Baker died, Princess Grace secured her burial in Monaco.

Both grave sites will be one of the stops on our tour through Monaco.
I'm Just Sayin