Maya Plisetskaya, one of greatest ballerinas, dies

Maya Plisetskaya, regarded as one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century and whose career at the Bolshoi Theater spanned more than 35 years, has died at age 89.

Bolshoi director Vladimir Urin told the state news agency Tass that Plisetskaya died in Germany of a heart attack on Saturday.

President Vladimir Putin issued a message of condolence and tributes came from across the dance world. Mikhail Baryshnikov said on Facebook that she was "one of the greatest dancers of our time ... beautiful and graceful."

Plisetskaya joined the Bolshoi troupe in 1943 at the age of 18 and stayed until 1990 when she left amid disputes with its director.

However, she returned to its stage for gala appearances, including a 75th birthday performance in 2000.

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