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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Date: 1965

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Date: 1935

Date: 1935

Date: 1935

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

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.

Date: 1951

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

Date: 1954

Fonteyn became president of the Royal Academy of Dancing.

Date: 1956

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

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.

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.

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.