Famed Bolshoi ballerina Maximova dies at age 70

[April 28, 2009]  MOSCOW (AP) -- The Bolshoi Theater has announced the death of legendary Russian ballerina Ekaterina Maximova.

No cause of death was immediately determined for the 70-year-old Maximova, who died unexpectedly early Tuesday. She had continued to work as a ballet coach and was not known to be suffering from ill health.

Maximova's dancing career at the Bolshoi spanned 30 years, from 1958 to 1988.

Her partner on the stage and in life was her husband, Vladimir Vasiliev, who served as artistic director of the Bolshoi for five years following his dancing career.

Gala concerts celebrating their 50 years together and Maximova's 70th birthday were held in Moscow in recent months.

President Dmitry Medvedev has sent his condolences to Maximova's family, friends and co-workers.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.