# data[].attributes.body
Born: May 18, 1919

Born as Margaret Evelyn Hookham in Reigate, Surrey, England.

Her childhood interests in dance lead her to pursue ballet seriously.

She began dancing at age 4 at a local dance school in Ealing.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: March 12, 1927

At 8 years old, Fonteyn's father accepted a job in Shanghai, China and she took ballet lessons from the Russian George Goncharov.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1933

At the age of 14 she returned to England to develop a dancing career. Fonteyn took lessons with the Russian teacher Serafina Astafieva, and a little later she auditioned for the Vic-Wells ballet. In England, she got her stage name, Margot Fonteyn, which indirectly evolved from her mother's family nam, Fontes.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1934

Joins the Vic-Wells Ballet (later the Royal Ballet) and begins training under de Valois, founder of the company.

Her technique and style develop here, setting her on the path to stardom.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: November 28, 1934

In 1934, she had her debut in The Nutcracker as a snowflake. Fonteyn later devoted her entire career to the Royal Ballet. Her first solo role was the Young Treginnis in de Valois's The Haunted Ballroom.

# data[].attributes.headline
Le Baiser de la Fee- First Leading Role! (1935)

# data[].attributes.subject
Le Baiser de la Fee- First Leading Role! (1935)

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1935

Her first major role was in Le Baiser de la Fee, choreograpphed by the great Frederick Ashton in 1935.

# data[].attributes.headline
Major Role and Other Accomplishments! (1935)

# data[].attributes.subject
Major Role and Other Accomplishments! (1935)

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1935

She had her first major role in Frederick Ashton's new ballet Le Baiser de la Fee in 1935. She also performed in Ashton ballets like Apparitions, Noctume, Les Patineurs, A Wedding Bouquet, Horoscope, The Wise Virgins, Dante Sonata, The Quest, The Wanderer, Daphnis, and Chloeë and Ondine.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1935

In 1935, she had roles in standard classics, such as The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Swan Lake.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1939-1945

Performs around the UK to uplift spirits amid WWII.

She becomes known for her resilience and dedication to the art, performing through challenging times.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Margot Fonteyn Pictures and Photos | Getty Images | Margot fonteyn, Rudolf nureyev, Ballet dancers https://www.pinterest.com/pin/466615211379367704/

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1949

At age 30, she goes on tour to the US. In New York she performed as Princess Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty at the Metropolitan Opera House. Fonteyn went from being a national treasure to an international star from her success on opening night.

# data[].attributes.headline
Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Royal Ballet (1949)

# data[].attributes.subject
Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Royal Ballet (1949)

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1949

Fonteyn is named Prima Ballerina Assoluta, the highest honor for a ballet dancer.

She becomes internationally recognized as one of the greatest ballerinas.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1961

She began dancing with Rudolf Nureyev, and some of their well-known dances include Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. This was a revelation for their famous partnership in the history of ballet. He was 20 years younger than her, and they both had diverse backgrounds. This allowed them to flourish, and Fonteyn's technique improved to the point where her career was extended by at least 15 years.

The two complement each other perfectly, creating memorable performances.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1965

Fonteyn and Nureyev perform Romeo and Juliet, captivating audiences worldwide.

The chemistry and artistry in their performance redefine expectations for ballet partnerships.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Pin by Cat Laine - Painted Foot on Inspiration: Portraits (Older Women) | Margot fonteyn, Rudolf nureyev, Nureyev https://www.pinterest.com/pin/inspiration-portraits-older-women--198369558566034150/

# data[].attributes.headline
Top Award: Prima Ballerina Assoluta (1979)

# data[].attributes.subject
Top Award: Prima Ballerina Assoluta (1979)

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1979

Fonteyn received from the Royal Ballet in England the title "prima ballerina assoluta". Keep in mind that only three ballerinas were given this title in the 20th century.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1951

Fonteyn was decorated a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1954

Fonteyn became president of the Royal Academy of Dancing.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: May 20, 1955

She married Roberto de Arias, also known as "Tito", a diplomat from Panama, and she then had to balance her commtiments as both a ballerina and ambassador's wife.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1956

Fonteyn became Dame of the Order of the British Empire, after which whe was known as Dame Margot Fonteyn de Arias.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: March 31, 1979

Fonteyn had her farewell performance, at age 60, in London's Royal Opera House. Overall, she had an extraordinary long, and successful career. She retires to Panama with Tito to run a 500-acre cattle farm.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: 1979

After over 40 years of performance, Fonteyn retires, leaving a profound impact on ballet.

Her career inspires countless dancers and continues to set a high standard in the art.

# data[].attributes.body
Date: February 21, 1991

Fonteyn died at the age of 71 from cancer, and it was two years after her husband died. She is buried in the Arias family plot next to Tito.

Her influence lives on through her performances and the dancers she inspired.