Who was principal ballerina of the Royal Ballet from 1989 to 2006?
Prima ballerina assoluta referred to the American ballerina Cynthia Gregory of the American Ballet Theatre as the nation's "prima ballerina assoluta"; however this has never been formally acknowledged. Another not to hold the title is the great Anna Pavlova, probably the best known ballerina in history. In South Africa, the only ballerina granted the title "prima ballerina assoluta" (1984) was Phyllis Spira (1943–2008). Sylvie Guillem as well as Darcey Bussell at The Royal Ballet, London, are considered by some to belong in the league of "assolutas" and both were, until their retirement from ballet, principal guests artists of The Royal Ballet, which is
The Royal Ballet into the Royal Ballet touring company. She later returned to her native South Africa, where she was appointed Prima ballerina assoluta by the President in 1984. The most recent is Alessandra Ferri, who completed her training at the Royal Ballet Upper School and began her career with the Royal Ballet. After dancing with the company for 4 years, she was later appointed Prima ballerina assoluta of La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan. Other prima ballerina assoluta have also appeared with the Royal Ballet as guest dancers, including: the French ballerina Yvette Chauvire and the Georgian ballerina Nina Ananiashvili. The Royal