Claire
This is one of my favorite Julia Child facts to share. When I first heard it, I thought someone was making it up to get a reaction. But it’s true.
Before Julia Child became the beloved “French Chef” we all know, she worked for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. The OSS was America’s first centralized intelligence agency. The precursor to the CIA.
So was Julia Child a spy? The answer is yes and no. Let me explain.
Was Julia Child Really a Spy? The Quick Answer
Was Julia Child a spy? Yes, Julia Child worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II from 1942 to 1945. However, she was not a field agent or “spy” in the traditional sense. She served as a research assistant and later became Chief of the OSS Registry, handling classified documents. She also helped develop shark repellent and was stationed overseas in Ceylon and China.
She wasn’t parachuting behind enemy lines or stealing secrets from foreign governments. She wasn’t running covert operations. Julia herself downplayed her role. She called herself “a file clerk.”
But the truth is more interesting than that. She had the highest security clearance, managed classified communications, and was awarded a medal for her service.
What Was the OSS?
The Office of Strategic Services was America’s first centralized intelligence agency, created in 1942 during World War II. It was run by General William J. “Wild Bill” Donovan.
The OSS handled espionage, sabotage, propaganda, and intelligence analysis. Think of it as the wartime version of the CIA.
After the war ended, the OSS was disbanded in September 1945. Two years later, in 1947, the CIA was created to take its place.
About 4,500 women served in the OSS during the war. Julia was one of them.
How Julia Joined the OSS
Julia McWilliams (her maiden name) tried to enlist in the military when World War II started. She applied to the Women’s Army Corps. She applied to WAVES. Both rejected her.
The reason? She was too tall. At 6 feet 2 inches, she exceeded the height requirements.
So in 1942, at age 30, Julia joined the OSS as a typist and research assistant. She was based at OSS headquarters in Washington, D.C., and eventually worked directly for General Donovan himself.
Did Julia Child Invent Shark Repellent?
Did Julia Child invent shark repellent? Not exactly. Julia Child helped develop shark repellent as part of an OSS team, but she did not invent it alone. Her team tested over 100 chemical compounds. The result was “Shark Chaser,” a mixture of copper acetate and black dye pressed into cakes. The U.S. Navy used it until the 1970s.
This is the part that sounds made up but isn’t.
During World War II, sharks were causing real problems for the military. Downed pilots in the water were being attacked. More critically, sharks kept bumping into underwater explosives meant for German U-boats and accidentally detonating them.
The OSS assigned a team to develop a shark repellent. Julia worked in the Emergency Sea Rescue Equipment Section and was part of that team.
Her team tested over 100 different chemical compounds. The final result was called “Shark Chaser.” The copper acetate smelled like dead shark, which deterred other sharks. The black dye helped obscure the person in the water.
Was it effective? About 60%. But it gave servicemen a psychological boost. They felt safer knowing they had something.
The U.S. Navy continued issuing Shark Chaser until the 1970s. Some accounts suggest it was also used to protect NASA space capsules when they splashed down in the ocean.
So yes, Julia Child helped develop shark repellent. Her “first foray into cooking,” as some have joked.
Julia’s OSS Career Path
Here’s how Julia moved through the OSS:
1942: Washington, D.C. Started as a typist and research assistant. Worked in the Secret Intelligence division, typing thousands of officer names onto white note cards for the internal database.
1944: Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Julia was posted overseas to Kandy, Ceylon. She handled highly classified communications and organized a secret file registry. She worked with the Southeast Asia Command under Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten.
1944-1945: Kunming, China Julia served as Chief of the OSS Registry, managing all classified documents for the secretariat. She had the highest security clearance and was responsible for all incoming and outgoing messages.
For her service, Julia was awarded the Emblem of Meritorious Civilian Service, with a citation that praised her dedication and “inherent cheerfulness.”
Did you catch that? “Inherent cheerfulness.” That sounds exactly like the Julia we know.
Where Julia Met Paul Child
Here’s the romantic part of this story.
Julia met Paul Cushing Child in Ceylon during her OSS posting. Paul was also an OSS officer. He was an artist, mapmaker, and cultural sophisticate. Ten years older than Julia.
Their romance began during wartime, in a tropical setting far from home. They didn’t marry until after the war, in 1946. But the foundation of their partnership was built in those OSS days.
It was Paul who first introduced Julia to good food and fine dining. Without the OSS, there might be no Julia Child as we know her. Learn more about Julia and Paul’s partnership.
Was Julia Child in the CIA?
Was Julia Child in the CIA? No. Julia Child was never employed by the CIA. She worked for the OSS from 1942 to 1945. The OSS was disbanded in September 1945, and the CIA was not created until 1947. By that time, Julia had left government work, married Paul, and was on her way to discovering French cuisine in Paris.
This is a common misconception. Because the OSS became the CIA, people often conflate the two. It makes for a better headline to say “Julia Child was a CIA spy.” But it’s not accurate.
Julia’s intelligence career ended when the OSS disbanded. She never worked for the CIA.
Did Julia Child Work for MI6?
Did Julia Child work for British intelligence? No. Julia Child had no connection to MI6 or any other British intelligence agency. All of her intelligence work was for the American OSS.
This question comes up occasionally, perhaps because of her overseas postings in British-controlled territories during the war. But there is no evidence of any MI6 connection.
The Secret War of Julia Child
If you want to explore Julia’s wartime service through fiction, there’s a historical novel called “The Secret War of Julia Child” by Diana R. Chambers, published in 2024.
The book imagines Julia as an active secret agent having various adventures across Asia. It’s inspired by her real OSS work but takes creative liberties. Fun to read if you enjoy historical fiction, but remember it’s a novel, not a biography.
For the real story, the CIA website and the National WWII Museum have excellent historical articles about Julia’s actual OSS service.
Timeline: Julia Child’s WWII Service
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1942 | Joins OSS in Washington, D.C. at age 30 |
| 1942-44 | Works as research assistant, helps develop shark repellent |
| 1944 | Posted to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), handles classified communications |
| 1944-45 | Posted to Kunming, China, becomes Chief of OSS Registry |
| 1945 | Awarded Emblem of Meritorious Civilian Service |
| 1945 | OSS disbanded after war ends |
| 1946 | Marries Paul Child |
| 1947 | CIA created (Julia not involved) |
| 1948 | Moves to Paris with Paul, discovers French cooking |
What Julia Said About Her OSS Days
Julia didn’t talk much about her wartime work. When she did, she kept it light.
Her most famous quote about that period:
“I must say we had lots of fun.”
That’s Julia. Even describing wartime intelligence work, she finds the joy in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Julia Child worked for the OSS during WWII, but she was a research assistant and administrator, not a field spy. She managed classified documents and had the highest security clearance.
No. Julia worked for the OSS from 1942 to 1945. The CIA was created in 1947, after she had already left government work.
She helped develop it as part of an OSS team. The repellent, called “Shark Chaser,” was a mixture of copper acetate and black dye. The Navy used it until the 1970s.
No. All of Julia’s intelligence work was for the American OSS, not any British agency.
Washington D.C. (1942-44), Ceylon/Sri Lanka (1944), and Kunming, China (1944-45).
After being rejected from the military for being too tall (6’2″), Julia joined the OSS in 1942 as a typist. She eventually became Chief of the OSS Registry.
See all of Julia Child’s cookbooks →
Sources
- CIA.gov – Julia Child: Life Before French Cuisine
- National WWII Museum – Julia Child and Shark Repellent
- Spyscape – Chef Julia Child: Cooking With Spies
- Wikipedia – Julia Child
– Claire
