Maya Plisetskaya

Russian ballet dancer (1925–2015)

Maya Plisetskaya was a renowned Russian ballet dancer, born in 1925. Her illustrious career spanned multiple decades, with a significant portion of it spent at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre. Under the guidance of notable directors such as Leonid Lavrovsky and Yury Grigorovich, Plisetskaya honed her craft, eventually rising to prominence as a leading dancer. Her talent and dedication earned her the esteemed title of prima ballerina assoluta of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1960, following the retirement of the celebrated Galina Ulanova.

Throughout her career, Plisetskaya not only excelled as a dancer but also ventured into other creative pursuits, including choreography, ballet direction, and acting. Her artistic expression extended beyond the stage, with appearances in film. In her later years, Plisetskaya held dual citizenship of Lithuania and Spain, a testament to her international recognition and acclaim. Maya Plisetskaya passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished ballet dancers of her time, with a career marked by her incredible talent, perseverance, and contributions to the world of ballet.