Renowned Cuban Ballet Star María Elena Llorente Passes Away at 80

María Elena Llorente Duarte, a celebrated principal dancer and maître of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC), and one of Cuba's most prominent dance figures, passed away this past Monday in Havana at the age of 80.

Her passing occurred at 9:10 a.m. in the Intensive Care Unit of the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital, where she had been admitted days prior, as confirmed by the BNC on its social media platforms.

The cause of death was heart failure complicated by kidney failure that did not respond to medical intervention.

Colleague Shares Heartfelt Farewell

Just a day before her passing, former soloist and maître María del Carmen Hechavarría, Llorente's friend and colleague for 56 years at the BNC, had described her condition as "extremely critical" due to renal system failure and additional cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

Upon news of her death, Hechavarría expressed a moving farewell: "Even though we were prepared, the news is deeply painful. A great sorrow fills me, as I lose a friend and colleague of 56 years in the National Ballet of Cuba, and Cuban culture loses a figure of excellence."

A Storied Career in Ballet

Born in Havana on May 20, 1946, Llorente began her dance training at the Pro-Arte Musical Society School and later studied at the Alicia Alonso National Ballet Academy, where she was mentored by Alicia Alonso, Fernando Alonso, and José Parés.

She joined the BNC's corps de ballet in 1962, was promoted to soloist in 1967, and achieved the rank of principal dancer in 1976.

Throughout her illustrious career, she portrayed some of the most iconic roles in classical ballet, including Giselle, Odette-Odile in "Swan Lake," Kitri in "Don Quixote," and Lisette in "La fille mal gardée," a role closely tied to her legacy.

Llorente also pioneered the inclusion of pieces like "Grand pas classique," the pas de deux from "La Bayadère," "Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux," and the renowned pas de deux from "Le Corsaire," performed with Spanish dancer Víctor Ullate during the 1976 Havana International Ballet Festival.

In May of 1977, she appeared as a guest artist with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York, an event that actor Harry Belafonte described as "a significant historical moment."

A Legacy Beyond the Stage

Beyond performing, Llorente made substantial contributions as a choreographer and educator, nurturing generations of dancers at the BNC, the National Ballet School, and the Alicia Alonso Institute of Dance in Spain. She was honored with the National Dance Award in 2015, acknowledging her impact both domestically and internationally.

Her final years with the institution were marked by estrangement from the company to which she had dedicated much of her life. According to a report by 14ymedio, Llorente and her husband, scenic designer Salvador Fernández (who passed away in December 2024), were gradually marginalized after Viengsay Valdés took over the BNC's leadership in 2020, ultimately leaving them without professional responsibilities.

In accordance with her wishes, Llorente's remains will be laid to rest this Monday at 2:00 p.m. in her family's plot at the Colón Cemetery.

The BNC bid her farewell, underscoring her indelible mark on national dance history: "María Elena Llorente's passing profoundly moves and saddens us. Her company joins the mourning of family, admirers, and friends of a truly significant figure in Cuban dance."