Joséphine Baker in the Pantheon but her body will remain in the Monaco cemetery
In 1969, Joséphine Baker was ruined. Her property, her house, in the Dordogne is sold and she no longer knows where to go. So the princely family and especially Princess Grace offered to come to Monaco. First for an artistic work then by paying him a house at the door of the Principality, in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. She is going to settle there with her 12 natural and adopted children; his “rainbow” tribe. The Franco-American star took 6 years to repay this princely loan. During this period, she rebuilt herself personally and artistically. It is indeed in the Monegasque galas, that she polishes her new show, inspired by her life, which will ring her big comeback on the Parisian scene, in 1975, a few weeks before her death.
An admiration of Princess Grace
His arrival in Monaco is no accident. Since 1951, Princess Grace, then a young American actress, has been in correspondence with her compatriot. She was shocked to the New York incident at the Stork Club where Josephine Baker was refused service because of her skin color. Since that day, Grace Kelly, has a certain admiration for the singer who did not let it go. So she wrote to him. Regularly even from 1959. So when 10 years later, the Franco-American artist is in trouble, Grace and Prince Rainier help him.
A story of financial debt that weighs even more than 50 years later.
Today, Joséphine Baker is entering the Pantheon but her body remains in Monaco. The family wanted it that way. First for the attachment she now has with the Rock, but also because a certain resentment still exists towards this France which had no idea when it was on the edge of the precipice; who would not have taken charge of the financial debt at the time; which in fact Monaco did. Entry into the Pantheon should work for this reconciliation there too.