Dame Margot Fonteyn
Person Born 1919 Died 1991
Categories: Dance, Seriously Famous
Countries: China/Hong Kong, Panama
Prima ballerina assoluta.
Born Reigate as Margaret Hookham. As a child lived for a time in Shanghai. Her stage name was based on "Fontes" the name of her mother's paternal family, wealthy Brazilians. Married a past Panamanian ambassador to Britain, Dr Roberto Arias (also described as a gunrunner and whisky smuggler) who in 1959 was involved in a attempted rebellion in Panama. Through him she befriended Imelda Marcos, General and Mrs Pinochet and Manuel Noriega. Later in 1964, as an elected politician he was crippled in a shooting "accident" involving a former political associate.
Discovered by Ninette de Valois, the choreographer, Frederick Ashton, created roles for her, such as the Firebird and in the 40s and 50s she reached the pinnacle of her profession.
In 1962 Fonteyn's ballet career found new life in her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev. In 1970 Fonteyn retired to live with her husband in Panama.
Go to map of other memorials in this area
