Heidi Guenther

Heidi Noelle Guenther (January 11, 1975 – June 30, 1997) was an American ballerina from 1981 to her death in 1997. Guenther died from cardiac arrest which was believed to be caused by her eating disorder.

Biography Guenther was born in San Francisco. She was raised in Los Osos, and trained at School of the American Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy during the summer. Guenther earned a full scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School when she was twelve.

She was first told to lose weight by the San Francisco Ballet School. In 1994 and in 1995, Artistic director Anna-Marie Holmes encouraged Guenther to lose weight, eventually going to 110 pounds. The weight loss did not stop here. Guenther continued to drop weight at an alarmingly quick rate.

Guenther broke her foot in the first season, as an apprentice. She did not seek medical attention, because she was afraid she would lose her contract. Instead she rested her foot when she wasn't dancing, causing her to gain five pounds. At the time, the company was worried that she may have an eating disorder. Though the company noticed her weight loss they did not follow up with her about it. While the Boston Ballet did counsel her to gain weight, Guenther's mother noticed that the thinner her daughter was, the more dancing roles she was given. Her death was speculated to be caused by her immense amount of weight loss.

In a later search, a stash of laxatives and herbal diet-aid pills were found in her possession. Along with the use of medication to lose weight, many of Heidi's friends stated that she had an unhealthy relationship with purging, as well as skipping meals. An autopsy showed no heart deformities

Legacy Guenther's death "was a wake-up call for everyone," causing ballet companies to treat eating disorders as a "top priority." Immediately after her death, some American ballet companies said they would change their policies or offer extra information about eating disorders. Her death caused the Boston Ballet to begin nutrition counseling, onsite therapists, wellness seminars and help with weight control. Her family is attempting to start a foundation to help young athletes and dancers in honor of Guenther.