The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (2025)

Vote for Your Favourite Female Dancers

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

1

Misty Copeland

(The First African-American Woman to Serve as the 'American Ballet Theatre' Company's Principal Dancer)

78

27

Birthdate: 1982

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Ballet dancer Misty Copeland is known for her association with American Ballet Theatre and is the first Black woman to become the principal dancer there. She also gained fame as a public speaker and stage performer. Named to Time 100, she has also written a memoir and narrated a documentary.

2

Isadora Duncan

(American Dancer and Choreographer)

33

7

Birthdate: May 26, 1877

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

Died: September 14, 1927

Isadora Duncan was a dancer acclaimed in USA, Europe, and the Soviet Union. Raised by a single mother, she grew up in poverty and started teaching dance to children to earn some money. She later joined Augustin Daly's theater company. Eventually, she opened her own dance schools to teach her unique philosophy and techniques to her students.

3

Anna Pavlova

(Russian Ballerina and One of the Most-Celebrated Ballet Dancers of Her Time)

25

3

Birthdate: February 12, 1881

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Died: January 23, 1931

One of the first ballerinas to travel extensively around the world, Anna Pavlova had first gained an interest in the dance form after watching an adaptation of The Sleeping Beauty. She initially gained fame dancing with Mikhail Mordkin and later made waves with her iconic role in The Dying Swan.

4

Martha Graham

(Modern Dancer and Choreographer Known for Her 'Graham Technique' Style)

25

4

Birthdate: May 11, 1894

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: April 1, 1991

Martha Graham was a modern dancer and choreographer who revolutionized American dance. She developed what later became known as the Graham technique, a modern dance movement style and pedagogy. She had an extensive career spanning over 70 years. The Martha Graham School, founded in 1926, is the oldest school of dance in USA.

5

Julianne Hough

(Judge on Dancing with the Stars)

39

16

Birthdate: July 20, 1988

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Orem, Utah, United States

Julianne Hough shot to fame with Dancing with the Stars, in 2007, and eventually won two seasons and returned as a judge. Fans also remember her as Sandy from Grease Live!She aced the U.S. Country charts with her debut album and was also a judge on America's Got Talent.

6

Dita Von Teese

(Dancer, Actress)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (6)

24

4

Birthdate: September 28, 1972

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Rochester, Michigan, United States

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

7

Lisa Niemi

(Writer, Director and Lead Actress of the Film 'One Last Dance')

21

4

Birthdate: May 26, 1956

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States

Lisa Niemi is known for her appearance in Steel Dawn and One Last Dance, with her former husband Patrick Swayze. She also released memoirs, both New York Times bestsellers and one of them co-written by Swayze. Swayze’s death due to pancreatic cancer led her to spread awareness about the ailment.

8

Meryl Davis

(Former Competitive American Ice Dancer and Figure Skater)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (8)

18

4

Birthdate: January 1, 1987

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Royal Oak, Michigan, United States

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

9

Abby Lee Miller

(Dancer, Choreographer and Founder of ‘Abby Lee Dance Company’)

48

16

Birthdate: September 21, 1965

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Abby Lee Miller is a choreographer, dance instructor, and reality TV personality. She is credited with founding the Abby Lee Dance Company where the popular TV series Dance Moms was filmed. The series follows the training of children in dance under the tutelage of Miller. In 2018, Miller was diagnosed with a type of cancer that has left her wheelchair-bound.

10

Mackenzie Ziegler

(American Dancer, Singer and Internet Personality)

30

4

Birthdate: June 4, 2004

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Mackenzie Ziegler initially gained fame with the reality show Dance Moms, where she appeared with her older sister, Maddie Ziegler. Mackenzie then plunged into music and toured with singers such as Johnny Orlando. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. She is extemely popular on social-media platforms, too.

11

Allison Holker

(American Dancer, Choreographer, and Actress Known for Her TV Dance Competition ‘So You Think You Can Dance’)

21

6

Birthdate: February 6, 1988

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Allison Holker is an American dancer known for appearing in the reality TV dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. She has also worked in several concert tours, films, and television series. In 2007, she was adjudged the National Senior Dancer of the Year. In 2013, she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination under the Outstanding Choreography category.

12

Margot Fonteyn

(English Ballet Dancer)

16

5

Birthdate: May 18, 1919

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Reigate, England

Died: February 21, 1991

Margot Fonteyn was an English ballerina who spent her entire dancing career at the Royal Ballet. She was eventually appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet by Queen Elizabeth II. Margot Fonteyn achieved international fame after a tour of the US in 1949. She also helped popularize ballet in the US by appearing on TV before and after WWII.

13

Leslie Caron

(Actress & Dancer Known for Her Films: 'Lili' and 'The L-Shaped Room')

19

4

Birthdate: July 1, 1931

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Boulogne-sur-Seine, Paris, France

French-American actor Leslie Caron is best known for her BAFTA-winning roles in The L-Shaped Room and Lili. She has also won a Golden Globe and an Emmy. A seasoned actor, she began her career as a ballerina. She has also been a jury member at various international film festivals.

14

Cheryl Burke

(American Dancer Who Became the First Female Professional to Win the TV Show 'Dancing with the Stars')

27

4

Birthdate: May 3, 1984

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

Cheryl Burke is an American dancer, TV host, and model. Best known for appearing as a professional dancer on the popular dance competition TV series Dancing with the Stars, Burke became the first professional to win two consecutive seasons. In 2008, she set up her dance studio and created her own line of sportswear in 2009.

15

Darcey Bussell

(One of the Best British Ballerinas of All Time)

27

10

Birthdate: April 27, 1969

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: London

Darcey Bussell is an English former ballerina best known for her appearances as a judge on the popular television show, Strictly Come Dancing. She is also known for her association with the Royal Ballet, where she was a principal dancer. Darcey Bussell is considered one of the best British ballerinas of all time and is the recipient of numerous awards.

16

Emma Portner

(Dancer)

53

24

Birthdate: November 26, 1994

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Ottawa

Emma Portner is a popular dancer and choreographer, who has choreographed music videos for celebrities like Justin Bieber. One of the few dancers to have been featured on the covers of both Dance Magazine and Dance Spirit, Portner serves as an inspiration to the LGBT community as she publicly married actress Ellen Page in 2018.

17

Witney Carson

(Dancer. Choreographer)

20

5

Birthdate: October 17, 1993

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: American Fork, Utah, United States

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

18

Twyla Tharp

(Dancer and Choreographer)

15

3

Birthdate: July 1, 1941

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Portland

Twyla Tharp is an American dancer, author, and choreographer. She is credited with founding Twyla Tharp Dance, which she formed in 1966. In 1976, Twyla Tharp choreographed Push Comes to Shove, which is now regarded as the finest example of crossover ballet. Twyla Tharp has received several prestigious awards, including two Emmy Awards and the National Medal of the Arts.

19

Khandi Alexander

(Dancer, Actress)

18

4

Birthdate: September 4, 1957

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

20

Dianne Buswell

(Dancer)

24

3

Birthdate: May 6, 1989

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Bunbury

Dianne Buswell is an Australian dancer best known for showcasing her dancing skills in the popular British TV show, Strictly Come Dancing. After starting her training in ballroom dance at the age of four, Dianne Buswell began participating in shows like So You Think You Can Dance Australia, Burn the Floor, and Dancing with the Stars.

21

Sofia Wylie

(American Actress, Dancer and Singer)

16

3

Birthdate: January 7, 2004

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

22

Katherine Dunham

(One of the Most Successful Dancers of the 20th Century)

17

3

Birthdate: June 22, 1909

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States

Died: May 21, 2006

Dancer, choreographer, and social activist Katherine Dunham was also a qualified anthropologist. She experimented with various ritual dances, and her innovations included a ballet performance based on Caribbean dance. She also pioneered the Dunham Technique of dance pedagogy and used the pen-name Kaye Dunn to write several works.

23

Shirley Ballas

(English Dance Teacher, Ballroom Dancer, and Dance Adjudicator)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (23)

23

6

Birthdate: September 6, 1960

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Wallasey, Cheshire, England

Shirley Ballas is an English dance teacher, ballroom dancer, and dance adjudicator. Nicknamed The Queen of Latin, Ballas is best known for her achievements in the International Latin division. Shirley Ballas' popularity increased in 2017, when she started appearing as the head judge on the popular TV dance show, Strictly Come Dancing.

24

Ann Miller

(Actress, Singer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (24)

18

3

Birthdate: April 12, 1923

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Chireno, Texas, United States

Died: January 22, 2004

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

25

Shura Baryshnikov

(Dancer, Choreographer, Actress)

17

3

Birthdate: March 15, 1981

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Stillwater, Minnesota, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

26

Sierra Deaton

(Winner of the 3rd Season of 'The X Factor US' Known for Her Album 'It's About Us')

18

3

Birthdate: February 11, 1991

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

27

Jaina Lee Ortiz

(Actress)

18

3

Birthdate: November 20, 1986

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Fort Ord National Monument, California, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

28

Lindsay Arnold

(Professional Dancer)

18

3

Birthdate: January 11, 1994

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Provo, Utah, United States

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

29

Michaela DePrince

(Sierra Leonean-American Ballet Dancer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (29)

17

4

Birthdate: January 6, 1995

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Kenema, Sierra Leone

Michaela DePrince is a Sierra Leonean-American ballerina and writer. She is credited with co-authoring a book titled Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. Michaela DePrince achieved popularity in 2011 when she was featured in a documentary titled First Position, which follows her and other ballerinas as they prepare for the upcoming Youth America Grand Prix.

30

Lola Falana

(Singer)

17

3

Birthdate: September 11, 1942

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Camden, New Jersey, United States

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

31

Paula Abdul

(Her Album 'Forever Your Girl' was One of The Most Successful Albums in 1988)

25

17

Birthdate: June 19, 1962

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: San Fernando, California, United States

Starting her career as a cheerleader, Paula Abdul went on to choreograph music videos for Janet Jackson. She then tried her hand at singing-songwriting and released a highly successful debut studio album. Also an award-winning actress, Paula was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also appeared in TV shows like American Idol.

32

LaWanda Page

(Actress)

17

3

Birthdate: October 19, 1920

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Died: September 14, 2002

33

Bonnie Langford

(English Actress, Singer, and Dancer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (33)

21

4

Birthdate: July 22, 1964

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Hampton Court, Surrey, England

Bonnie Langford is an English actress, singer, and dancer. She achieved popularity as a child actress in the 1970s, when she portrayed Violet Elizabeth Bott in a television series titled Just William. From 2015 to 2018, Bonnie Langford played Carmel Kazemi on the popular soap opera EastEnders, which earned her the 2016 British Soap Award.

34

Eleanor Powell

(Dancer, Actress)

18

3

Birthdate: November 21, 1912

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

Died: February 11, 1982

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

35

Simone Battle

(Actor, Singer, Television actor)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (35)

18

3

Birthdate: June 17, 1989

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Los Angeles

Died: September 5, 2014

36

Karina Smirnoff

(Ballroom dancer who won the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (36)

18

3

Birthdate: January 2, 1978

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Kharkiv, Ukraine

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

37

Galina Ulanova

(One of the Greatest Ballerinas of the 20th Century)

14

3

Birthdate: January 8, 1910

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Died: March 21, 1998

Born to dancer parents, Soviet ballerina Galina Ulanova was destined to follow in their footsteps. The dancer who had performed with both Mariinsky and Bolshoi theaters remains the only two-time Hero of Socialist Labour winner. She amazed audiences in Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet.

38

Joey Heatherton

(Actress)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (38)

17

3

Birthdate: September 14, 1944

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York, USA

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

39

Sheree North

(Actress)

15

3

Birthdate: January 17, 1932

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: November 4, 2005

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

40

Loie Fuller

(Actor, Lighting designer, Choreographer, Artist, Dancer, Stage actor, Model)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (40)

13

3

Birthdate: January 15, 1862

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Illinois

Died: January 1, 1928

41

Chita Rivera

(American Actress and Singer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (41)

16

3

Birthdate: January 23, 1933

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States

Died: January 30, 2024

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

42

Janette Manrara

(Choreographer and Dancer Known for Her Appearance in TV Show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’)

18

5

Birthdate: November 16, 1983

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States

Miami-based Cuban dancer Janette Manrara is best known for her stint on the reality show Strictly Come Dancing. Fans have also loved her in Glee, Burn the Floor, and So You Think You Can Dance. She is married to her Strictly Come Dancing co-star Slovenian dancer Aljaž Škorjanec.

43

Emma Slater

(English-American Dancer and Choreographer)

18

3

Birthdate: December 25, 1988

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Tamworth, Staffordshire

Emma Slater is an English-American dancer and choreographer best known for making numerous appearances on the popular dance competition television series, Dancing with the Stars.Prior to making her TV debut, Emma Slater competed in dance competitions around the world, representing the UK. She then went on to establish herself as a theater and TV personality.

44

Jade Chynoweth

(American Actress and Dancer)

18

3

Birthdate: August 21, 1998

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Park City, Utah, United States

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

45

Alicia Alonso

(Dancer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (45)

12

2

Birthdate: December 21, 1920

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Died: October 17, 2019

46

Maya Plisetskaya

(Russian Ballet Dancer and Choreographer)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (46)

13

3

Birthdate: November 20, 1925

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Died: May 2, 2015

Maya Plisetskaya was a legendary Soviet and Russian ballerina. Growing up in a war-torn region, she had a difficult childhood. She sought solace in ballet and pursued a career as a dancer. She was remarkably fluid in her movements and soon became internationally renowned. She later became a ballet director and choreographer. She was married to composer Rodion Shchedrin.

47

Oti Mabuse

(Dancer on the British television series, Strictly Come Dancing, and its German equivalent, Let's Dance)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (47)

6

2

Birthdate: August 8, 1990

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

48

Vanessa Lengies

(Canadian TV and Film Actor and Voice Actor)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (48)

17

10

Birthdate: July 21, 1985

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Height: 5'2" (157 cm)

49

Patsy Swayze

(Choreographer)

17

3

Birthdate: February 7, 1927

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Harris County, Texas, United States

Died: September 16, 2013

50

Svetlana Zakharova

(First Russian Principal Dancer Performing in Paris and Became a World Star as of 2000)

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (50)

13

2

Birthdate: June 10, 1979

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Lutsk, Ukraine

Svetlana Zakharova is a Russian ballet dancer best known for her association with the popular classical ballet company, Bolshoi Ballet. Zakharova achieved international recognition in the 2000s, performing as a principal dancer in places like France. She is the first Russian principal dancer to perform in Paris. She has also hosted TV programs and appeared in the 2006 documentary Ballerina.

The Greatest Female Dancers Ever - How Many Do You Know Of? (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6348

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.