Maria Tallchief is one of the most successful ballerinas in America. Her performance on stage was met with a heart sinking and ended with a standing ovation. The former 35th President of the United States J. F. Kennedy particularly liked Tallchief and enjoyed watching her performances. Find out how Maria could build a brilliant career and establish herself worldwide at chicagovski.com.
Danced from childhood
Maria Tallchief was born on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma. Her father, Alexander Tall Chief, belonged to the Osage Indian tribe and her mother, Ruth Porter, was of Scottish descent.
Maria and her sister Marjorie developed their passion for dancing thanks to their mother, who took them to dance classes. The family went to Los Angeles in 1933 to help the girls achieve success and become professional ballerinas.
When Maria turned 17, she moved to New York to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Thanks to her courage and determination, she became a member of the Ballet Russe Monte Carlo company. There, she met choreographer G. Balanchine. Tallchief started to advance in her career quickly.
Soon, the choreographer and Maria found themselves in a whirlwind romance. The couple got married in 1946. The 21-year age gap was not a barrier to their love. The man had a significant influence on Maria’s career, involving her in various roles.
Career rise
After the termination of her contract with Ballet Russe Monte Carlo in 1946, Maria joined Balanchine. He had moved to France to work as a choreographer in the Paris Opera Ballet. Thus, Maria became the first American to dance in the Paris ballet company.
She gained enormous popularity with the lead role in “The Firebird” ballet (1949). The part of Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” brought her more success. She also appeared in productions such as “Orpheus” and “Scottish Symphony.” In 1960, Tallchief performed at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, once again becoming the first dancer from the US to do so.
Maria was fiery on stage. She impressed audiences with her energy and flame. She was often called the “white wolf,” the great prima.
Tallchief retired in 1965 and went to Chicago, where she began giving dancing classes at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Furthermore, she and her sister opened the Chicago City Ballet school.
Personal life and awards
Maria got married three times. Her first marriage with Balanchine ended in 1951. The second husband of the diva was Elmourza Natirboff. He was a pilot of a private charter airline, whom she married in 1952. They did not live together long and separated in 1955. This happened partially because of Maria’s new lover, Henry Paschen, a Chicago businessman. She soon became his wife and lived with him until her last days. They had a daughter named Elise.
In 1996, Tallchief became one of the five ballet dancers to get a Kennedy Center Honor for her contribution to the development of the arts in the United States. The same year, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Tallchief was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
Maria broke her hip in 2012 and started having serious health complications after that. The legendary ballerina passed away on April 11, 2013, at the age of 88, leaving behind a substantial legacy.
After her mother’s death, Elise Pashen said that her mother was the best in ballet, as she always strived for excellence and perfection in all her endeavors.
Maria Tallchief’s life has been the subject of numerous films and biographies. Her dancing style and mastery continue to inspire dancers around the world.