Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev Rudolf Nureyev in 1973 by Allan Warren Born Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (1938-03-17)17 March 1938 near Irkutsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union Died 6 January 1993(1993-01-06) (aged 54) Levallois-Perret, France Cause of death AIDS Nationality Bashkir Ethnicity Bashkir-Tatar Citizenship Austria Alma mater Kirov Ballet School Occupation Ballet dancer, choreographer Years active 1958–1992 Partner(s) Erik Bruhn (1961–1986) Website www.nureyev.org Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (Bashkir: Рудольф Хәмит улы Нуриев, Tatar: Рудольф Хәмит улы Нуриев, Russian: Рудо льф Хаме тович Нуре ев) (17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993) was a Soviet-born dancer of ballet and modern dance, one of the most celebrated of the 20th century. Nureyev's artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the male ballet dancer who once served only as support to the women. Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961, despite KGB efforts to stop him.