Ludmilla Tchérina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ludmilla Tchérina
Tchérina in 1955
Born	Monique Tchemerzine (1924-10-10)10 October 1924 Paris, France
Died	21 March 2004(2004-03-21) (aged 79) Paris, France
Resting place	Montmartre Cemetery
Occupation	Actress Ballerina Sculptor Painter Choreographer Author
Years active	1946–1964
Spouse(s)	Edmond Audran ​ ​ (m. 1946; died 1951)​ Raymond Roi ​ ​ (m. 1953; died 1987)​

Ludmilla Tchérina (born Monique Tchemerzine; October 10, 1924 – March 21, 2004) was a famous French prima ballerina and actress. She was also a talented sculptor, painter, choreographer, and author. She achieved great success in many different artistic fields.

Life and Career Highlights

Ludmilla Tchérina began her dance training with famous teachers like Blanche d'Alessandri and Olga Preobrajenska. She started dancing professionally at the age of 16.

Becoming a Star Ballerina

She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, a very famous dance company. There, she was noticed by the well-known choreographer Serge Lifar. In 1942, she made her debut in Paris. She performed the role of Juliet in Lifar's ballet Romeo and Juliet. This made her the youngest prima ballerina ever in dance history. A prima ballerina is the highest rank a female dancer can achieve in a ballet company.

In 1945, Ludmilla became a main dancer with the Ballet des Champs-Élysées. She performed in Paris with her husband, Edmond Audran. She also created many new roles in Lifar's ballets. These included 'Mephisto Waltz' in 1945 and A la memoire d'un heros in 1946. She also performed in Le Martyre de Saint-Sebastian in 1957. She was often a guest performer with major ballet companies. These included the Paris Opera, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the Kirov Ballet.

Acting on Screen

Tchérina also had a successful career as an actress. She appeared in several movies, including the famous ballet film The Red Shoes. Other films she starred in were The Tales of Hoffmann and Oh... Rosalinda!!. She also acted in television shows.

Art and Writing

Ludmilla Tchérina loved painting throughout her life. Her artwork was shown in many important art galleries. She also designed and created several very large sculptures. One famous sculpture is Europe à Coeur. In 1991, the European Union chose it to represent the unity of Europe. It is now located at the European Parliament. In 1994, she created another sculpture called Europa Operanda. This piece is now at the French entrance of the Eurotunnel.

In the 1980s, Ludmilla also started writing. She published two novels under her own name. These books were L'Amour au Miroir (1973) and La Femme a L'Envers (1986).

Ludmilla Tcherina in 1955 at Frankfurt airport

Personal Life and Honors

Ludmilla Tchérina married Edmond Audran in 1946. Sadly, he passed away in a car accident in 1951. She then married Raymond Roi in 1953. Their marriage lasted until his death in 1987.

In 1980, she received a special honor. She was given the Officier, Légion d'honneur award. This is one of France's highest awards for outstanding achievements.

Grave of Tchérina at the Montmartre Cemetery

Later Years and Legacy

Ludmilla Tchérina passed away in 2004. She was 79 years old. She is buried in the Montmartre Cemetery in Paris. Her amazing talent and contributions to dance, film, sculpture, painting, and writing left a lasting mark on the art world.

Filmography