Margot Fonteyn

Birth

May 18, 1919

Margot was born in Reigate, England to parents Felix and Hilda Hookham.

Beginning Dance

Mar 5, 1924

At four years old, Margot began dancing at a local dance school in Ealing, England.

Moving

Mar 12, 1928

Margot's family moved to China after her father took a position at a tobacco company. She began studying ballet under George Goncharov in Shanghai.

Back to England

Nov 12, 1933

Margot moved to London with her mother to begin her career as a dancer. She began taking lessons with Serafina Astafieva and then joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School with Vera Volkova.

Debut

Nov 28, 1934

Margot debuted in Victor Wells Ballet. She played a snowflake in The Nutcracker.

Classic Roles

Sep 12, 1935

Margot became a leading dancer of the Vic-Wells Ballet and took over classic roles including those in Giselle and Swan Lake. Her first major role was in Le Baiser de la Fee, Fredrick Ashton's new ballet.

The Sleeping Beauty

May 18, 1939

Margot's interpretation of Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty was considered the definitive Aurora of the era.

InternationalTour

Jun 15, 1949

Margot toured through multiple countries, including the United States, and became an international star.

President

Nov 13, 1954

Margot became president of the Royal Academy of Dancing.

Marriage

May 20, 1955

Margot married the former Panamanian ambassador to Great Britain, Roberto Emilio Arias.

Dame

Aug 16, 1956

Margot was created Dame of the Order of the British Empire.

Royal Ballet

Mar 8, 1959

Margot appeared as a guest artist and toured extensively with the Royal Ballet.

Rudolf Nureyev

Nov 20, 1962

Margot was planning on coming to the end of her dance career when she performed in Giselle with Rudolf Nureyev. Partnering with Nureyev brought Margot back into the dance world and she continued performing. Their partnership is one of the most famed in ballet history.

Romeo and Juliet

Mar 8, 1964

Margot danced in Kenneth MacMillan's ballet, Romeo and Juliet.

Poème de L'extase

Mar 8, 1970

Margot danced in John Cranko's ballet, Poème de L'extase.

Author

Mar 8, 1975

As Margot's dance career began to slow, she started writing her own books. Some of the books that she has written are Margot Fonteyn: An Autobiography, A Dancer's World, and The Magic of Dance.

Prima Ballerina Assoluta

Dec 18, 1979

Margot received the title "Prima Ballerina Assoluta" from the Royal Ballet in England. This title was only given to three ballerinas in the 20th century.

Last Dance

Mar 31, 1986

Margot danced in her last performance in Florida. She played the Queen Mother in two performances of Sleeping Beauty with the Royal Ballet.

Death

Feb 21, 1991

Margot died in Panama City, Panama.