Known for her pioneering work in expressive and modern dance.

Started teaching dance to other chidlren when she was just 6 years old.  At 10 she left school to run her growing dance classes which included teaching adults.

After her first public appearances in America had made little impact on the public, she left for England in 1899 with her sister, Elizabeth, her brother, Raymond, and her mother where, she studied Greek sculpture at the British Museum.  This inspired her dance style and costume -- adopting the Greek tunic and dancing barefoot she won over audiences with her free movement and flesh revealing costumes.

She vowed never to marry and had two children out of wedlock who sadly died together when their car rolled into the river Seine in 1913.  She did marry  Russian poet Sergei Yesenin in order that he be allowed to travel with her during her tours.  

Wrote her Autobiograpjhy, My Life, in 1927, the year of her death caused by her scarf getting caught in the wheels of her open car and breaking her neck.  Her last words were "Adieu, mes amis. Je vais á la gloire" which when translated means "Farewell, my friends. I am going to glory!"