A revolutionary American ballerina, Elizabeth Marie Tallchief, broke barriers for Native American women. She became the first Native American woman from the Osage Tribe to break into ballet. Tallchief was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she studied ballet for many years. Her first ballet lessons were in Colorado Springs, where her family had a summer home. As a ballerina, she toured the globe and married George Balanchine for a short time. Additionally, she studied piano, and, due to her perfect pitch, she contemplated a career as a concert pianist.
Childhood
Tallchief was born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief in Fairfax, OK, on January 24, 1925. She was one of the country’s most successful ballerinas from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was also a trailblazer for Native Americans in the world of ballet as the daughter of an Osage tribe member. When she was eight, her family relocated from her birth home of Fairfax, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, California. The move was intended to advance the careers of Maria and her sister, Marjorie. Tallchief studied ballet for years with Ernest Belcher and Bronislava Nijinska in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Ruth Porter, was impoverished and could never afford to take dancing lessons. Therefore, when Tallchief and her sister Marjorie showed interest in dance, her mother immediately placed them in lessons. Tallchief excelled at both music and dance. Tallchief’s family moved to Los Angeles, California, when she was a teenager, hoping to land a significant role. Unfortunately, significant opportunities were hard to come by.
Career
Maria Tallchief moved to New York City at the age of 17 to pursue her dreams of becoming a dancer. She moved from a dance company to a dance company looking for a job. Several companies discriminated against her because of her Native American heritage. Despite rejections, Tallchief continued to work towards her goal and eventually became one of America’s most popular ballerinas. Tallchief stepped in when one of the leading ballerinas abruptly stepped down in 1942. Top critics praised Tallchief’s performance. After her career took off, many tried to convince Tallchief to change her last name so that dance companies would not discriminate against her. However, she refused and kept performing as Maria Tallchief. She became the first American to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet in 1947. When she married choreographer George Balanchine, he created her signature Firebird role, and she became a prima ballerina for the New City Ballet. Tallchief is best known for his role as the Sugar Plum Fairy in ‘The Nutcracker’. During her travels, she performed in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theater for the first time. She appeared regularly on several Television Shows.
Awards and acclamations
Tallchief won many awards and was involved with a variety of civic organizations. She has twice been honored with the Washington Press Women of the Year Award and the Annual Dance Magazine Award. She was named Princess Wa-Xthe-Thonba, Woman of Two Standards, by the Osage tribe, in honor of her achievements. The Oklahoma Legislature declared June 29, 1953, as Maria Tallchief Day. Her sister, Marjorie Tallchief, and four other Oklahoma-born Indian prima ballerinas were honored by being depicted in the Oklahoma Capitol’s mural, Flight of Spirit, in 1991. Maria Tallchief also received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 1996. She was director of Chicago’s Lyric Opera Ballet from 1973 to 1979 and the Chicago City Ballet from 1980 to 1987.
Personal Life
Maria Tallchief met George Balanchine during her performance, and they became romantically involved. The couple married in 1946; however, the marriage lasted only five years. Their wedding was short-lived, but they made a good team. Tallchief joined the New York City Ballet in 1948, dancing to Balanchine’s choreography.
Retirement
After her dancing retirement, Tallchief and her sister opened the Chicago City Ballet, a ballet school and dance company. Tallchief was the first American prima ballerina to be recognized in European ballet houses as well as breaking barriers for Native Americans. She spoke out against injustice and discrimination, never forgetting her Native American heritage.
Death and legacy
Tallchief died on April 11, 2013, at the age of 88, at a hospital in Chicago. Besides her daughter Elise Paschen, she is survived by her sister and fellow ballerina, Marjorie Tallchief, and two grandchildren. Paschen made a statement following her mother’s death about her legacy as a Native American ballet dancer and teacher:
My mother was a ballet legend who was proud of her Osage heritage. Her dynamic presence lit up the room. I will miss her passion, commitment to her art and devotion to her family. She raised the bar high and strove for excellence in everything she did.
#1 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#2 Maria Tallchief poses for a portrait at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, 1960
#3 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in New York City Ballet’s 1960 “Don Quixote” pas de deux.
#4 Erik Bruhn and Maria Tallchief in New York City Ballet’s “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#5 Maria Tallchief “The Firebird” 1960.
#6 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#7 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#8 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#9 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1959.
#10 Maria Tallchief, 1957.
#11 Ballet dancers Marjorie (hat), and Maria Tallchief perform a sister act upon their arrival in New York aboard the liner Liberte.
#12 Maria Tallchief arriving at London Airport, April 8th 1952.
#13 Maria Tallchief in a scene from the movie “Million Dollar Mermaid”
#14 Maria Tallchief portrait, 1951.
#15 Maria Tallchiefwith Canadian ballerina Melissa Hayden, and Mexican dancer Nicholas Magallanes in ‘Serenade’ ballet by George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet, 1950.
#16 Maria Tallchief and Nora Kaye in Paris, France, 1950
#17 Maria Tallchief and Nora Kaye with American ballet choreographer George Balanchine in Paris, 1950
#18 Maria Tallchief of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in Constance Bannister’s living room, New York City, 1945.
#19 Tallchief attends the Producers Guild Of America Presents 2006 Celebration of Diversity May 9, 2006 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
#20 Maria Tallchief and Jacques d’Amboise performing on the South Lawn of the White House tonight during a rehearsal for a program to follow the State Dinner for German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard tomorrow night.
#21 Maria Tallchief performing on the South Lawn of the White House tonight during a rehearsal for a program to follow the State Dinner for German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard tomorrow night.
#22 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Sylvia’ in 1951 at Jacob’s Pillow.
#23 Maria Tallchief and Kent Stowell performing ‘Sylvia’ in 1964.
#24 Maria Tallchief and Kent Stowell performing ‘Sylvia’ in 1964.
#25 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Firebird’ at the NYC Ballet, September 19, 1963.
#26 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Firebird’ at the NYC Ballet, September 19, 1963.
#27 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Firebird’ at the NYC Ballet, 1963.
#28 Maria Tallchief in “Firebird”, 1963.
#29 Maria Tallchief in 1951.
#30 Maria Tallchief in 1964.
#31 Maria Tallchief in 1961 with her daughter Elise.
#32 Maria Tallchief promotional photo for Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Radio’s ‘Voice of Firestone’ program, 1962
#33 Maria Tallchief in 1961 with her daughter Elise.
#34 Maria Tallchief promotional photo for Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Radio’s ‘Voice of Firestone’ program.
#35 Maria Tallchief, 1962.
#36 Maria Tallchief as guest of honour at reception after gala charity performance to commemorate the centenary of the town of Deauville in France, Deauville Casino, Sunday 13th August 1961.
#37 Maria Tallchief and Rudolf Nureyev from Soviet Union Ballet dancer who recently defected to the West, in France, 1961
#38 Maria Tallchief with her husband Henry Paschen and daughter Elsie in May 1961.
#39 Maria Tallchief with her husband Henry Paschen and daughter Elsie in May 1961.
#40 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Lady from the Sea’ in March 1961.
#41 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in American Ballet Theatre’s “Flower Festival at Genzano” in 1961.
#42 Maria Tallchief with her daughter Elise and husban Henry C. Paschen, Jr., in 1961.
#43 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Black Swan” photographed at Jacob’s Pillow in 1961.
#44 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Flower Festival in Genzano’ in 1961.
#45 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#46 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Black Swan” photographed at Jacob’s Pillow in 1961.
#47 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#48 The Seminole Indian Tribe in Florida awards Maria Tallchief a certificate granting her hunting rights on their reservation in 1961.
#49 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#50 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#51 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn Photographed in 1961.
#52 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Flower Festival in Genzano’ in 1961.
#53 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Flower Festival in Genzano’ in 1961.
#54 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#55 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Flower Festival in Genzano’ in 1961.
#56 Maria Tallchief and her daughter Elsie backstage at the American Ballet Theatre in 1961.
#57 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#58 Maria Tallchief and her daughter Elsie backstage at the American Ballet Theatre in 1961.
#59 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#60 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#61 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Miss Julie’ in 1961.
#62 Maria Tallchief and Margot Fonteyn attend a gala charity matinee of ballet in aid of the Royal Academy of Dancing, at the Theatre Royal, 1960.
#63 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#64 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#65 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#66 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960
#67 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#68 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#69 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1960.
#70 Maria Tallchief in ‘Swan Lake’ ballet costume, 1960
#71 Maria Tallchief performing in the American Ballet Theater’s Swan Lake, 1960.
#72 Maria Tallchief “The Firebird” 1960.
#73 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#74 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn in “Swan Lake”, 1960.
#75 Maria Tallchief and Erik Bruhn performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1959.
#76 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1959.
#77 Maria Tallchief performing ‘Swan Lake’ in December 1959.
#78 President Dwight Eisenhower talks with the winners of the women of achievement awards at the Annual Dinner of the Women’s National press Club in Washington last night.
Left to right: President Eisenhower; Lt. Mildred L. Rush, winner of the Woman of the Year Award, representing the American nurse in Korea; Maria Tallchief, Ballet; Catherine Marshall, Books; Helenor Wilder, Science; and Ivy Baker Priest, Treasurer of the United states.
