Nureyev was born into a Tartar Muslim family in 1938 near Siberia.
Teachers quickly noticed his abilities and encouraged him to train in a larger city.
He quickly became known not only for his skill but his modern interpretations of classical ballets.
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This willingness to break boundaries made him popular, but his non-conformist attitude also concerned the government.
Rudolf Nureyev and Liliana Cosi dancing in 1972.
Though he was closely monitored by the KGB, Nureyev did defect during the Paris trip.
Rudolf Nureyev and Liliana Cosi dancing in 1972. (Photo:Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
In fact, he was the first artist to defect during the Cold War, causing a sensation.
Eventually, in 1982, he was granted Austrian citizenship, putting to end two decades of statelessness.
By leaving the Soviet Union behind, Nureyev was allowed the creative freedom to grow.
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For most of the 1980s, he was the director of the Paris Opera Ballet.
He continued his work there until 1989, even as he became increasingly ill.
In 1984, Nureyev tested HIV positive.
Rudolf Nureyev in 1973. (Photo:Allan Warren,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
At the time, medical treatment was limited and, eventually, he developed AIDS.
Though he continued to work, his diminished health would take a toll.
In 1993, after several stays in the hospital, he passed away from AIDS complications.
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His tomb then became a visual representation of the opulence that the dancersurrounded himself with.
Revealed in 1996, the memorial has become one of the most visited sites in the cemetery.
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The memorial commemorates renowned ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev.
Rudolf Nureyev in 1973.
