Maria Tallchief

Biography

Maria Tallchief was an American ballerina and the first Native American to hold the rank of prima ballerina. She revolutionized ballet alongside George Balanchine, who she met while dancing with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Tallchief's career spanned from 1946 to 1966, during which she became a star with the New York City Ballet, performing iconic roles like The Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She was honored with a Kennedy Center Honor and a National Medal of Arts.