Rudolf Nureyev, 1964 (photo)

Rudolf Nureyev ( 1938 – 1993). One of the most celebrated dancers of ballet and modern dance in the 20th century. His artistic skills provided a new role for the male ballet dancer who had previously served mainly as support to the women. Originally a Soviet citizen, he defected to the West in 1961, despite KGB efforts to stop him. He joined the Royal Ballet Company in 1962 and became particularly famous in his partnership with the ballerina Margot Fonteyn. He continued to perform regularly with The Royal Ballet until he joined the Paris Opera Ballet in the 1980s. A homosexual, He tested positive for HIV in 1984, but for several years denied that anything was wrong . When he eventually died of AIDS in Paris, there were tributes to his brilliance as a dancer from around the world, including even from Russia.