Stephanie “Tanqueray” Johnson lived by reinvention long before it became a celebrated ideal. Born Aquila Stephanie Springle in 1944 in Albany, New York, she grew up under rigid circumstances that offered little room for self-expression. As a teenager, she made the difficult decision to leave home, arriving in New York City with little more than determination and an instinct to survive. That leap marked the beginning of a life shaped not by limitation, but by self-definition.

In Manhattan, she adopted the name Tanqueray and found her calling in the city’s burlesque and nightlife scene during the 1960s and 1970s. Designing her own costumes and cultivating a bold, unmistakable stage presence, she carved out space in an industry that was often unwelcoming—especially for women of color. Her performances were as much about confidence and originality as they were about endurance, earning her recognition across clubs and creative circles throughout the city.

Johnson passed away on October 11 at her Manhattan home at the age of 81, a loss confirmed by her family and shared publicly by Humans of New York. Her life story reached a global audience in 2019 through a widely read, multi-part feature by Brandon Stanton, resonating with readers who connected deeply with her honesty, humor, and resilience. The response brought renewed attention to her legacy and underscored the power of storytelling rooted in lived experience.

In her later years, she reflected on her journey in her memoir, Tanqueray, offering insight into a life built on creativity, survival, and self-respect. Beneath her wit and fearless public persona was a quiet resolve to remain authentic, regardless of circumstance. Tanqueray Johnson is remembered not only as a performer, but as a woman who transformed adversity into identity—and lived, unapologetically, on her own terms.