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Born in the racist United States, she became a star in France, in song, music hall and film.

During the Second World War, she became a spy and an ambulance driver. She fought fiercely against all forms of discrimination.

Awarded the Médaille de la Résistance on October 6, 1946, and the Légion d'honneur on August 18, 1961, she also received the Croix de guerre avec palme. She died on April 12, 1975 after a final success at Bobino in Paris, and was honored with military honors before being buried in Monaco on April 15, 1975.