Makarova, Natalia (Romanovna)

(born Oct. 21, 1940, Leningrad, Russia, U.S.S.R.) Russian ballerina. She trained in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) and joined the Kirov (now Mariinsky) Ballet in 1959 to become a leading ballerina. In 1970 she defected while on tour in London and soon joined American Ballet Theatre. She performed as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet and other companies and is best known for her leading role in Giselle.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica