[2/2] Joséphine Baker, from the Revue Nègre at the Panthéon

Listen to the rest of the exceptional destiny of Joséphine Baker, told by Virginie Girod.  

Music hall star, Joséphine Baker placed herself in the service of France at the start of the Second World War. Alongside Maurice Chevalier, she sang on the front to boost the morale of the troops during the Battle of France in June 1940. 

But Joséphine Baker's commitment goes further. She manages to convince military intelligence to recruit her: the review leader is received by the elite of Europe and no one searches her when she goes through customs. We're too busy asking him for autographs! Just by participating in social evenings, Joséphine Baker gathers valuable information on Italy's entry into the war. As for his property in Milandes, it serves as a hiding place for resistance fighters and their weapons.  

However, peritonitis put an end to his intelligence activities. So, Joséphine Baker begins a gala tour to raise funds for the Resistance. At the end of the war, she is a hero. The time of the music hall seems to be over; Joséphine Baker is mobilizing on other fronts. She adopts 12 children around the world to found her “rainbow” family and show the world that brotherhood is not an empty word. Joséphine Baker is also mobilized against racism. In the United States, she even gave a speech alongside Martin Luther King!  

Financial troubles precipitated its decline. Joséphine Baker is forced to sell her Château des Milandes and return to the stage. In 1975, it was her last stand: for her 50th career, she put on a show which retraced her incredible life, from Broadway to the Resistance. All of Paris is still there to cheer him, but the star is exhausted. She died of a stroke after 14 performances.  

46 years later, France opens its doors to the woman who gave so much for her adopted country.  

Themes covered: music hall, Paris, United States, racism, Resistance 

“At the heart of history” is a Europe 1 Studio podcast

- Presentation: Virginie Girod 

- Production: Caroline Garnier

- Director: Nicolas Gaspard

- Composition of the original music: Julien Tharaud 

- Writing and Distribution: Nathan Laporte

- Communication: Marie Corpet

- Visual: Sidonie Mangin

Archives of Europe 1

Joséphine Baker concert at L'Olympia, April 23, 1964. 

Joséphine Baker enters the Pantheon, testimony of her daughter Marianne. November 30, 2021.

Joséphine Baker receives the Vermeille medal from the City of Paris on March 30, 1956.

Joséphine Baker surrounded by her children in her Château des Milandes, July 7, 1956

Joséphine talks about her career and her famous song “J’ai deux amours”, April 12, 1975

Joséphine Baker appeals for help to save the Milandes, March 13, 1969

Speech by Emmanuel Macron during Joséphine Baker's entry into the Pantheon, November 30, 2021

Bibliography

Gérard Bonal, Joséphine Baker, From the Music Hall to the Pantheon, Tallandier, 2021.