Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

KGB Doggedly Stalked Nureyev

Russians wanted to break defector dancer’s legs

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2007 8:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – He was never interested in politics, but Rudolf Nureyev was a KGB scourge for decades after his 1961 defection. The famed ballet dancer’s colleagues were glad to see him go—‘Rudik’ was a prima donna to management and competition for fellow performers—but the state was incensed, the Telegraph reports, excising him from history books and plotting to break his legs.

Nureyev’s escape was particularly damaging to the USSR because it came just months after Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering spaceflight. His name became so forbidden that an admirer had to procure his autobiography illegally and distribute it secretly. The KGB was also responsible for a mentor’s heart attack; an ex-lover, meanwhile, died mysteriously at age 37.

Russian born dancer and choreographer Rudolf NUREYEV in Zurich to present the Manfred ballet at the Opera. (PAR8915)
Russian born dancer and choreographer Rudolf NUREYEV in Zurich to present the Manfred ballet at the Opera. (PAR8915)   (Magnum Photos)
NUREYEV's foot. Russian born dancer and choreographer Rudolf NUREYEV during the presentation of the Manfred ballet at the Opera. (PAR8914)
NUREYEV's foot. Russian born dancer and choreographer Rudolf NUREYEV during the presentation of the Manfred ballet at the Opera. (PAR8914)   (Magnum Photos)
FRANCE. Paris. 1974.Rudolf NUREYEV, dancer and choregrapher. 1974aris. 15th district. Palais des Sports theater. 10th June 1974. Russian born dancer and choregrapher Rudolf NUREYEV on stag (PAR91339)
FRANCE. Paris. 1974.Rudolf NUREYEV, dancer and choregrapher. 1974aris. 15th district. Palais des Sports theater. 10th June 1974. Russian born dancer and choregrapher Rudolf NUREYEV on stag (PAR91339)   (Magnum Photos)
Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev   (Archive Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Belarus Behind on Bills ... So Russia Cuts Its Power

Russia Sends Hitman After Agent Who Outed Spies

Beauty Spy's Dad 'Was KGB Agent'

Russian Sports, Concert Tycoon Gunned Down

Head of Russian Orthodox Church Dead


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne