Margaret Kelly (dancer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Kelly
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Margaret Kelly |
| Also known as | Miss Bluebell |
| Born | 24 June 1910 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 11 September 2004 (aged 94) Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer |
Margaret Kelly (born June 24, 1910 – died September 11, 2004) was an Irish dancer. She was famous as Miss Bluebell and created the world-renowned Bluebell Girls dance group.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Beginnings
Margaret Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 24, 1910. She grew up without knowing her parents. An Irish priest arranged for her to be cared for by Mary Murphy, a dressmaker.
In 1916, Margaret and Mary moved to Liverpool, England. A doctor suggested Margaret take dance classes to make her legs stronger. It quickly became clear that she had a special talent for dancing!
Building a Dance Career
At just 14 years old, Margaret left school to become a professional dancer. She joined a Scottish dance group called the Hot Jocks. After nine months, she got a contract to dance at the Scala in Berlin, Germany. She stayed there for five years, gaining lots of experience.
Creating the Bluebell Girls
In 1930, Margaret moved to Paris, France, to dance for the famous Folies Bergère show. In 1932, when she was 22, she decided to start her own dance group. She named them the Bluebell Girls.
Life During World War II
In 1939, Margaret married Marcel Leibovici, a talented musician. They had two sons, Patrick and Francis. During World War II, when Germany occupied Paris, life became very difficult.
Margaret was arrested by the French police while she was pregnant. Luckily, an Irish diplomat helped her get free. However, Marcel was later arrested and sent to a special camp. The French Resistance, a group fighting against the occupation, helped him escape and return to Paris. Margaret bravely hid him near the police headquarters, risking her own life to keep him safe and fed. The secret police, called the Gestapo, questioned Margaret, but she never told them where Marcel was. The movie The Last Metro was inspired by their story.
Global Success with the Bluebell Girls
After the war, Margaret worked with an American choreographer named Donn Arden. Together, they created amazing shows for the Paris Lido, a famous cabaret. Starting in 1947, the Bluebell Girls quickly became the main attraction.
Their shows were unique. Margaret found the tallest and most beautiful dancers. With their costumes and high heels, they looked stunning on stage. Donn Arden's shows were full of movement, color, music, and lights, creating a dazzling experience.
By the late 1950s, the Bluebell Girls were famous worldwide. They had permanent dance groups not only in Paris but also in Las Vegas, other parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Marcel Leibovici helped Margaret manage the business side of the Bluebell Girls. He was very good at it, and together they made the group one of the most celebrated dance troupes in the world. Sadly, Marcel died in a car accident in 1961. Margaret then had to take over all the business responsibilities herself. She continued to lead the Bluebell Girls, even adding new shows and artists.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1986, Margaret Kelly began to slow down and left the Paris Lido. However, she continued her work, especially in Las Vegas with the MGM Grand Hotel. The Paris Lido bought the Bluebell Girls name, so the famous shows could continue.
Awards and Recognition
Margaret Kelly received many important awards for her long and successful career. She was honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire and the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. These awards recognized her 72 years of work as a dance leader. She also received the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres and the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite.
In 1986, the BBC made a TV show about her life called Bluebell. A British sculptor named Doreen Kern created a life-size bronze statue of Margaret Kelly in 1987.
On June 24, 2010, Bluebell Girls from different generations and around the world gathered at the Lido de Paris. They celebrated what would have been Margaret Kelly's 100th birthday. After the show, they joined the current Bluebell Girls on stage.
The University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV) also honors Miss Bluebell. They have photographs of her in their online exhibit called SHOWGIRLS. They also keep her memory alive in the Donn Arden Special Collection. This brings together the two partners who were so important to the history of show business and the legend of the Bluebell Girls.
Final Resting Place
Margaret Kelly passed away on September 11, 2004. She is buried in the Montmartre Cemetery in Paris, France. Her son Jean-Paul, who died in 1996, is buried with her.
