Carmen de Lavallade

Carmen de Lavallade, the legendary dancer, choreographer, and actress whose grace and versatility broke barriers in the performing arts, died on December 29, 2025. She was 94. A Kennedy Center Honoree and a National Medal of Arts recipient, de Lavallade passed away peacefully at her home in Manhattan. Her career spanned seven decades, during which she worked with the greatest luminaries of dance, including Lester Horton, Alvin Ailey, and Geoffrey Holder, her late husband.

Born in Los Angeles, de Lavallade was a muse to choreographers and a trailblazer for Black artists in ballet and modern dance. She made her Broadway debut in "House of Flowers" in 1954, where she met Holder. She went on to become a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera and a guest artist with the American Ballet Theatre, defying the racial prejudices of the era with her undeniable talent and stunning beauty.

Beyond dance, she was a respected actress and a professor at the Yale School of Drama. She continued to perform well into her 80s, captivating audiences with her solo show, "As I Remember It" which chronicled her extraordinary life in the arts. Her elegance on stage was matched by her warmth and mentorship off stage, where she influenced generations of young dancers.

She leaves behind a legacy of beauty, resilience, and artistic excellence. She is survived by her son, Léo Holder, and her grandson. Her contributions to American dance history are immeasurable, serving as a bridge between the classical and modern worlds.