Who Is Josephine Baker? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Josephine Baker was born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. A multi-talented figure, she became a leading performer in Paris during the Jazz Age and is celebrated not only for her artistic talents but also for her courageous involvement in the French Resistance during World War II. Baker became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and an advocate for racial equality with her unique persona that transitioned from the stage to activism. She passed away on April 12, 1975, but her legacy and impact continue to resonate today.
| Occupation | Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 3, 1906 |
| Age | 68 Years |
| Birth Place | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | France |
| Date of death | 12 April, 1975 |
| Died Place | Paris, France |
Popularity
Josephine Baker's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As one of the most iconic dancers of her time, Josephine Baker had a striking stage presence:
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 130 lbs (59 kg)
- Body Measurements: 36-24-36 inches (91-61-91 cm)
In 1951, Baker made charges of racism against Sherman Billingsley's Stork Club in Manhattan, where she had been refused service.
Actress Grace Kelly, who was at the club at the time, rushed over to Baker, took her by the arm and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (although she returned on 3 January 1956 with Prince Rainier of Monaco). The two women became close friends after the incident.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Josephine Baker's personal life was as colorful as her career. Over her lifetime, she had several relationships and was married four times. Her most notable relationship was with her second husband, Jean Lion, followed by her adoption of 12 children from various ethnic backgrounds, creating what she called her "Rainbow Tribe." As of 2025, any speculation about her romantic relationships is historical, as she was a prominent figure on the 20th-century stage quite a long time ago.
Louis, Missouri. Baker's ancestry is unknown—her mother, Carrie, was adopted in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1886 by Richard and Elvira McDonald, both of whom were former slaves of African descent. Baker's estate identifies vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson as her natural father despite evidence to the contrary.
In 1993, Josephine Baker's foster son Jean-Claude Baker published a biography titled Josephine: The hungry Heart, which was the culmination of decades of exhaustive research into Baker's life and career. In the book, he discusses at length the circumstances surrounding Baker's birth:
Net Worth and Salary
Though Josephine Baker's financial situation fluctuated throughout her life, she achieved considerable fame and wealth during her career. At her peak, her net worth was estimated to be several million dollars. Adjusting for inflation, her legacy and influence have grown, and her estate continues to generate income through various channels including films, books, and musical adaptations that celebrate her life and works.
Josephine McDonald spent her early life on 212 Targee Street (known by some St. Louis residents as Johnson Street) in the Chestnut Valley neighborhood of St. Louis, a racially mixed low-income area near Union Station, consisting mainly of rooming houses, brothels, and apartments without indoor plumbing.
She was poorly dressed, hungry as a child, and developed street smarts playing in the railroad yards of Union Station.
Career, Business and Investments
Baker's career spanned multiple facets of the entertainment industry. Starting as a dancer in the 1920s, she gained fame with her performances in the Folies Bergère and later starred in several films. Baker also recorded numerous hit songs, which contributed to her popularity.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Baker was an active businesswoman. She invested in real estate and engaged in philanthropic activities. Most notably, her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and her work with the French Resistance are integral parts of her legacy, serving as an inspiration for generations to come.
Freda Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975), naturalized as Joséphine Baker, was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in France. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 French silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant.
Social Network
Josephine Baker remains a figure of interest on various social platforms dedicated to historical figures and the arts. Her story is shared widely across social media, with dedicated pages on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook that celebrate her contributions to dance, music, and activism. Fans and historians alike continue to engage in conversations surrounding her life, ensuring her memory lives on in public discourse.
Despite her popularity in France, Baker never attained the equivalent reputation in America. Her star turn in a 1936 revival of "Ziegfeld Follies" on Broadway was not commercially successful, and later in the run she was replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee. Time magazine referred to her as a "Negro wench ...
whose dancing and singing might be topped anywhere outside of Paris", while other critics said her voice was "too thin" and "dwarf-like" to fill the Winter Garden Theatre. She returned to Europe heartbroken. This contributed to Baker's becoming a legal citizen of France and giving up her American citizenship.
Education
While Baker's formal education was limited—having dropped out of school at a young age—her life experiences served as her greatest teachers. Through her travels, performances, and activism, she learned about different cultures and the importance of equality. Baker often spoke about her disdain for racial discrimination and used her platform to educate others about civil rights issues, exemplifying the notion that one’s background doesn’t define their ability to lead and inspire change.
By age 12, she had dropped out of school. At 13, she worked as a waitress at the Old Chauffeur's Club at 3133 Pine Street. She also lived as a street child in the slums of St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard shelters, scavenging for food in garbage cans, making a living with street-corner dancing.
It was at the Old Chauffeur's Club that Josephine met Willie Wells, whom she married at age 13, but the marriage lasted less than a year. Following her divorce from Wells, she found work with a street performance group called the Jones Family Band.
Conclusion
Josephine Baker's life continues to fascinate and inspire in 2025. From her contributions to the arts to her fearless advocacy for equality, her legacy is a testament to the power of artistry and resilience. Explore her story further and join in honoring the achievements of this remarkable woman who, despite living in a different era, still resonates with today's generation.
