2. Josephine Baker
A beautiful stage performer and a government spy? That’s right, Josephine Baker wasn’t only famous for her talents in the spotlight.
Baker had a sultry air about her, making her a famed stage performer in the 1920’s who surprised everyone with risque dance numbers in revealing outfits. However, Baker – a born American who later became a French citizen in 1937 – decided to serve during WWII as an agent in the French Resistance.
Widely known for her lovely charm and jet-setting lifestyle, Baker made a perfect cover for herself, giving her easy access opportunities to shuttle military intelligence and relay secret messages in her things. Due to her humanitarian work sheltering refugees in her home and her consistent high-risk military service, Baker received the French Croix de Guerre for her bravery.