Ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova dead at 66

MOSCOW, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Famed Russian prima ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova, who worked in the Bolshoi Theatre for half a century, has died in Moscow at the age of 66.

Representatives for the theater confirmed her death to RIA Novosti, but declined to reveal the cause, stating only that Bessmertnova had died "after a grave and long-term disease."

ITAR-TASS said the Moscow native started dancing for the theater after graduating from its renowned ballet school.

During her career with the Bolshoi, she danced the lead roles in ballets staged by her husband Yury Grigorovich, including "Romeo and Juliet," "The Love Legend," "Ivan the Terrible" and "The Golden Age," ITAR-TASS said.

Grigorovich was the former chief choreographer of Bolshoi, RIA Novosti noted.

After she stopped performing, Bessmertnova taught young dancers, ITAR-TASS said.

She was a recipient of the Lenin Prize and was named the People's Artist of the U.S.S.R., the former Soviet Union.