Margot Fonteyn

Dame Margaret Evelyn de Arias DBE, known by the stage name Margot Fonteyn, was an English ballerina. She spent her entire career as a dancer with the Royal Ballet, eventually being appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the company by Queen Elizabeth II. Beginning ballet lessons at the age of four, she studied in England and China, where her father was transferred for his work. Her training in Shanghai was with Russian expatriate dancer Georgy Goncharov, contributing to her continuing interest in Russian ballet. Returning to London at the age of 14, she was invited to join the Vic-Wells Ballet School by Ninette de Valois. She succeeded Alicia Markova as prima ballerina of the company in 1935. The Vic-Wells choreographer, Sir Frederick Ashton, wrote numerous parts for Fonteyn and her partner, Robert Helpmann, with whom she danced from the 1930s to the 1940s.

18 May 1919

Born on the same birth day (18 May): Big Joe Turner • Brad Friedel • Charles Kamathi • Denis Horgan • Henri Sauguet • Javier Cárdenas (presenter) • Jem (singer) • Jessica Watson • John Bruton • Lillian Hoban • Marty McSorley • Reggie Jackson • Richard Body • Toyah Willcox • Troy Cassar-Daley • Vince Young

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