Maya Plisetskaya, one of the greatest ballerinas of the modern ballet history, died on Saturday of a heart attack at the age of 89, Bolshoy Theatre director Vladimir Urin officially told the press.

      Thousands of condolences are currently being sent from all parts of the world to Maya Plisetskaya's relatives and friends, as well as admirers of the ballerina's maginificent talent. Even those people who don't know about the ballet much are acquainted with Plisetskaya and her best ballet numbers.

      Maya Plisetskaya was born on November 20, 1925 in Moscow. At age 18, she joined the Bolshoy Ballet, soon becoming a leading soloist, and was later proclaimed Prima Ballerina Assoluta by the Soviet government.

      Her most famous roles include Odile-Odette in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and the title role in Carmen Suite, written especially for her.

      

      Maya Plisetskaya received a great number of awards over her career, including People's Artist of the USSR (1959), the Order of the Legion of Honor (France, 1986) and many others.

      Plisetskaya ended her career as a ballet dancer in 1990, being at the age of 65, but continued to dance from time to time at some evenings until 80. After retiring, Plisetskaya worked as a ballet director, teacher and choreographer.