Rowena Jackson

Rowena Othlie Chatfield (née Jackson; 24 March 1926 – 15 August 2024) was a New Zealand prima ballerina.

Early life Jackson was born in Invercargill on 24 March 1926 to William Ernest Jackson and Lilian Jane, née Solomon. As a young child her ballet teachers were Stan Lawson and Rosetta Powell in Dunedin. In 1941 Jackson won the first Royal Academy of Dance scholarship in New Zealand.

Career In 1946, Jackson joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet in London. She was notable for her role as Swanhilda in the ballet Coppélia, and danced with Robert Helpmann and her husband Philip Chatfield.

By February 1954, she had been promoted to prima ballerina at Sadler's Wells Ballet.

She was renowned for her special gift for fast and brilliant turns. In 1940, before she left New Zealand, she set a world record when she performed 121 fouettés sur place. Chatfield died in Brisbane in July 2021, and Jackson on 15 August 2024, at the age of 98.

Honours and awards In the 1961 New Year Honours, Jackson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to ballet, the first dancer to receive this honour.