Stephanie Tanqueray Johnson lived a life shaped by resilience, creativity, and determination. Born Aquila Stephanie Springle in 1944 in Albany, New York, she grew up facing significant hardship within a strict environment. As a teenager, she experienced circumstances that pushed her to leave home and begin an independent life in New York City, where she set out to define her future on her own terms.
In Manhattan, she reinvented herself as Tanqueray and became a well-known figure in the city’s burlesque scene during the 1960s and 1970s. She created her own costumes and developed a distinctive stage presence that drew audiences across a wide range of nightlife venues. Her performances and personality helped her build a loyal following, and she became known for navigating creative spaces that were often challenging and competitive, particularly for women of color at the time.
Johnson passed away on October 11 at her home in Manhattan at the age of 81, according to reports shared by her family and Humans of New York. Her story gained widespread recognition in 2019 after she was featured in a multi-part series by Brandon Stanton, which introduced her life journey to a global audience. The response was significant, leading to broad public support and renewed interest in her work and experiences.
In later years, she shared her story through her memoir, Tanqueray, offering reflections on survival, creativity, and perseverance. Beneath her humor and confidence was a deep commitment to enduring difficult circumstances while remaining true to herself. Stephanie “Tanqueray” Johnson is remembered not only for her impact on performance culture, but also for her ability to transform adversity into a powerful and lasting legacy.