When you think of a ballerina, you probably picture a strong yet thin woman in their early twenties. It’s an art form that requires a lot of discipline, and pushing your body to the limit.
It’s a beautiful artistic expression, and a great way to keep fit. But after years of leaping, bending, and countless blisters, it can take a toll.
Like most other athletes, ballerinas are retired well before the age of 40. But not Suzelle Poole!
This amazing woman is still performing flawless routines… and she’s twice that age.
One solo performance took the internet by storm, and viewers can’t believe she’s eighty! Even as the video starts, it looks like a youthful 20-year-old has taken to the stage. But no, that’s just Suzelle.
Proof that age is just a number!
She isn’t just performing any ballet routine, but is dancing the classic Dying Swan. The routine is traditionally performed “en pointe”, which means she’s laced into ballet shoes that have a solid block of wood on the toe.
Dancing this way is incredibly painful and takes a lot of getting used to. But you wouldn’t know it by watching her routine.
She seems to float across the stage.
She embodies elegance and grace, and still has such control over each and every move, it’s inspiring.
Even her flexibility is incredible, and she can still bend and stretch as if it’s nothing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember the last time I touched my toes.
Suzelle was born in England in 1940, amid World War II.
She even remembers her backyard being hit by a bomb, but fortunately her family sustained no major injuries. Once the war was over, they all moved to Canada where she has her first dance lesson. She was a natural, and by age ten she was already performing professionally and had begun her career as a ballerina.
Her talent took her all over the world, and she married another talented performer – an opera singer.
They settled in Houston where she still teaches blossoming young ballerinas at her studio to this day.
These girls know her now as Madame Poole.
She also teaches adults who want to try ballet for the first time.
In an interview with Pressreader she talked about her greatest passion – which isn’t ballet, but inspiring others.
“I like to help people. I was taught that by the people around me. And I believe ballet helps people. I have a joy for dancing. It’s definitely keeping me healthy at my age. It encourages me to move my body. Many people my age, they just sit. Dancing is good exercise.” – Suzelle Poole
Dancing isn’t the only way she loves to express herself. She also has a love for poetry, and has written some of her own works including something commemorating her grandfather, and another book of poems about kittens.
She really just follows her heart and does what makes her happy!
YouTube commenters were swooning over her skill, and were inspired by the determination to keep doing what she loves.
“Those little boré steps she’s doing on pointe throughout the piece requires an immense amount of ankle strength for that length of time. She’s just wonderful. Thank you for sharing!” – Amber Leitao
“The ‘Dying Swan’ is one of the hardest ballets ever performed. And to do that at [her age] is ridiculous.” – Stanneta Prospere
You can watch her inspiring live on-stage performance by clicking below!
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