Russia was known to produce some of the best dancers in the world, and Rudolf Nureyev was one of the best dancers in Russia. Born in a small town in the Ural mountains, and without any formal education in dance, by 15 he was already impressing audiences with his dancing ability as an extra in a Moscow troupe. He talked his way into joining the world-famous Kirov dance school in St. Petersburg, where his instructors opined “you will be either a brilliant dancer or a complete failure, and most likely the latter.” Nureyev became the former, and became most known not only for his dancing but for changing his allegiances.

On this day, June 16, in 1961, Nureyev made his pre-arranged approach for asylum, as his ballet company was waiting to board their plane back to Russia. Nureyev had clandestinely contacted French authorities before about his defection, and they informed him they could not unilaterally declare his asylum: he had to ask for it.

After settling in Europe, Nureyev was immediately contracted out by the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, but left due creative differences. He went to the London’s Royal Academy of Dancing to perform with Margot Fontayn, who at 42 was considered near retirement age. Instead, the Fontayn and Nureyev  became one of the most popular ballet pairs in history. Ticket prices for the two together were always higher than for either one with any other partner.