Josephine Baker
Born
Freda Josephine McDonald

(1906-06-03)3 June 1906
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died12 April 1975(1975-04-12) (aged 68)
Paris
Resting placeMonaco Cemetery
ResidenceRoquebrune, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, (French Riviera), France
NationalityAmerican (renounced)
French (from 1937)
OccupationCivil rights activist, vedette, singer, Decorated World War II Spy
Years active1921–1975
Spouse(s)
  • Willie Wells
    (m. 1919; div. 1919)
  • William Baker
    (m. 1921; div. 1925)
  • Jean Lion (m. 1937–1940)
  • Jo Bouillon
    (m. 1947; div. 1961)
Partner(s)Robert Brady (1973–75)
Childrenadopted 12 children; informal Jean-Claude Baker
Musical career
Genres
  • Cabaret
  • music hall
  • French pop
  • French jazz
InstrumentsVocals
LabelsColumbia, Mercury, RCA Victor