Ninette de Valois

Dame Ninette de Valois (6 June 1898, Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland — 8 March 2001, London, England) was a distinguished British ballerina, choreographer, artistic director, and pedagogue. After debuting on stage in her early teenage years, Ninette became the principal dancer with the Beecham Opera Company in 1919, performing at the Royal Opera House in London. She came to worldwide prominence as the prima Soloist of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1923, performing with the company for three seasons. In later years, Ninette de Valois was renowned as the founder and inaugural director of The Royal Ballet (1931 to 1963) and The Royal Ballet School (1956–70). Ninette established the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet sister company in 1947, a predecessor of today's Birmingham Royal Ballet. She held numerous prestigious accolades: appointed Commander (CBE) in 1947 and promoted Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1951, became a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 1981, and received the Order of Merit (OM) in 1992. A centenarian, Valois was lucid and continued appearing publicly until her death at 102.