Lucette Aldous

Lucette Aldous (26 September 1938 – 5 June 2021) was an Australian prima ballerina during her performing years. She was the resident principal dancer with The Australian Ballet, and well known for performing the role of Kitri in the film of Rudolf Nureyev's production of Don Quixote, receiving many honours for her years of performance including being appointed AC in the 2018 Australia Day Honours list.

Early life Lucette Aldous was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in September 1938 and moved to Perth, Western Australia, when she was four months old. She started her training at the age of 3 in 1941 and studied under Australian teacher Phyllis Danaher. In 1955 Aldous received a scholarship to attend the Royal Ballet School in London. She later performed in a European tour as part of the Royal Ballet partnering Rudolf Nureyev in The Nutcracker.

Personal life Lucette Aldous was married to barrister Maurice Fitzmaurice from 1960, divorcing in 1972.

She then married fellow ballet dancer Alan Alder in 1972, and they had one daughter, Floeur, also a dancer. The couple were both independently recognised in 2004 as Western Australian State Living Treasures, being recognised for their outstanding contribution to dance and dedication as advocates for the development of dance in Western Australia.

On 5 June 2021, Aldous died in Perth, Western Australia, at the age of 82.

Awards Honorary Doctorate of Letters – Edith Cowan University 1999 Services to Dance – Australian Dance Awards 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award – Australian Dance Awards 2009

Honours Aldous was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest award in Australia, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2018