Alicia Alonso turns 90

Born in Havana on Dec. 21, 1920, Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martínez Hoya began studying ballet at age 9. When Alicia was 15 , she married another ballet student, Fernando Alonso, and they moved to New York, where she danced with Ballet Caravan, now the New York City Ballet. In 1940, she joined the American Ballet Theater and was soon promoted to the role of principal dancer, winning special acclaim for her legendary performance in "Swan Lake" . Her eyesight failed early in her career, and she danced many of her famous roles while partially blind, guided on stage by her partner's placement and by the stage lights. Cuba celebrated the dance legends' 90th birthday , Monday night, with an elaborate party at the Gran Teatro in Old Havana. The audience broke into a standing ovation when they saw the accomplished dancer who is considered a living legend of international ballet and a national treasure Cuba.  In June 2002 she was designated a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her outstanding contribution to the development, preservation and popularizing of classical dance and for her devotion to the art-form, through which she has promoted the ideals of UNESCO and the fellowship of the world's peoples and cultures. She continues to direct  Ballet Nacional de Cuba, even though she is in her nineties and almost blind.