When I was a small child, I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment, but soon flits away. -Anna Pavlova, known for The Dying Swan , was the maverick Russian prima ballerina who took the world by storm with her enchanting demeanor and graceful movements and was dancing for more than 40 years. Pavlova is most recognised for dancing the role of The Dying Swan. She danced this short ballet (only four minutes) about 4000 times, covering tours in America, South America, Bahia and Salvador, Japan, China, India, Burma, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Britain - and all these in the pre-air-travel age.
In the early 20th century, with her own company, Pavlova became the first ballerina to tour ballet around the world.
Anna danced until her last breath, at the age of 49 she died of pneumonia. Her last words were, "Get my 'Swan' costume ready."
