Josephine Baker (born Freda Josephine McDonald; 3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was a French dancer, jazz and pop music singer, and actress, who came to be known in various circles as the "Black Pearl", "Bronze Venus" "Jazz Queen", and even the "Creole Goddess". Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she renounced her U.S. citizenship to become a citizen of France in 1937. She was fluent in both English and French.