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Early Life In Baker’s early life she struggled with having a healthy relationship with her mother, Carrie McDonald. McDonald did not believe dance was a real form of work and scolded Josephine for not tending to her current husband, Willie Baker. (Rosette) Although Baker returned after traveling with gifts and money for her mother and younger sister, the turmoil of the relationship between Baker and her mother pushed Baker towards her first trip to France. (Todd, "Chasing a rainbow: the life of Josephine Baker") Baker’s talent was ridiculed so harshly by the United States she decided not to go to her sister’s funeral n St. Louis. Instead baker opted to send money to cover the funeral expenses but does not return. (Rosette)

Career: Early Years Baker’s career began with her doing black face comedy at local clubs, this was the “entertainment” that her mother did not approve of. Black face performances landed Baker an opportunity to tour in Paris France, it became the place she called home until her final days. Paris and Rise to Fame At the start of her career in France, Baker met a man who claimed to be a count, Pepito Abatino and persuaded her into letting him manage her. (Todd, "Chasing a rainbow: the life of Josephine Baker") Although once successful in France, Baker was not an immediate success upon her return the United States, the audience did not approve of her nudity or her singing. This led Baker to become a legal citizen of Paris France giving up her US Citizenship. Giuseppe Pepito Abatino, was not only Baker’s management, but her lover as well. (Rosette) The two could not marry due to Baker still being married to her second husband, Willie Baker. Work during WWII Baker played an important role to France during World War II as an informant she smuggled information across the border in between a worldwide tour. (Todd, "Chasing a rainbow: the life of Josephine Baker") Baker’s last marriage to French composer and conductor Jo Bouillon ended around the time Baker opted to adopt her 11th child. (Rosette) After the separation, Baker’s Chateau in France had been foreclosed and she had to be physically removed from the property. (Todd, "Chasing a rainbow: the life of Josephine Baker") April 1978 Baker got an opportunity to revive her career and have one final performance. Death April 1978 Baker got an opportunity to revive her career and have one final performance Baker received riveting reviews and was honored at a party in her name. Baker was the last partygoer to go to bed that night, she died at a French hospital. (Todd, "Chasing a rainbow: the life of Josephine Baker")

References

Chasing a Rainbow: The Life of Josephine Baker. Dir. Olivier Todd. 1986. Film.

Rosette, Bennetta. Josephine Baker in Art and Life: The Icon and the Image. Urbana: U of Illinois, 2007. Print.

[Legends]. Dir. Suzanne Phillips. BBC, 2006. Film.