Did Zelda Fitzgerald Dance?
Zelda Fitzgerald did indeed dance, and her passion for ballet was a significant part of her life, with her commitment to dance accelerating in her late twenties as she trained to become a professional ballerina. Her dance career, however, was cut short due to health issues and mental breakdowns, which eventually led to her diagnosis with schizophrenia.
Zelda Fitzgerald’s Life and Dance Career
Early Life and Introduction to Dance
Zelda Fitzgerald’s introduction to dance began at a young age, with her taking ballet lessons as a child, but it wasn’t until her late twenties, while living in France with her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald, that her interest in dance was renewed. She began taking ballet lessons in Paris with the renowned Russian dancer Lubov Egorova, with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina.
The Impact of Dance on Her Life
Zelda’s dance career, although short-lived, had a profound impact on her life, contributing to her mental health issues and hospitalizations. Her dance training was intense, with eight hours of practice a day, which, combined with the pressures of her personal life, took a toll on her physical and mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Zelda quit ballet?: Zelda quit ballet due to health issues and mental breakdowns, which were exacerbated by her intense dance training.
- Why did Zelda do ballet?: Zelda trained in ballet with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina.
- What couldn’t Fitzgerald forgive Zelda for?: F. Scott Fitzgerald couldn’t forgive Zelda for sleeping with another man.
- Why did Zelda not marry Fitzgerald initially?: Zelda broke off their engagement due to F. Scott’s low salary and lack of financial stability.
- What was Zelda’s mental illness?: Zelda was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1930 by Eugen Bleuler.
- Was Zelda Fitzgerald a flapper?: Yes, Zelda was known as America’s first flapper due to her fashion sense and independent spirit.
- Where is Zelda Fitzgerald buried?: Zelda is buried alongside her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald in Saint Mary’s Church cemetery.
- Was F. Scott Fitzgerald rich?: At the time of his death, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s net worth was around $35,000, which is approximately $25 million today.
- Did Zelda Fitzgerald have a child?: Yes, Zelda had a daughter named Frances “Scottie” Fitzgerald.
- Who actually wrote The Great Gatsby?: F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby.
- Was Zelda Fitzgerald a ballet dancer?: Yes, Zelda trained as a ballet dancer and aimed to become a professional ballerina.
- Why did Fitzgerald propose to Zelda but she broke the engagement?: Zelda broke off the engagement due to F. Scott’s financial instability and her desire for a more secure life.
- What did Zelda Fitzgerald’s father do?: Zelda’s father, Anthony Dickinson Sayre, was an Alabama politician.
- What happened to Zelda Fitzgerald’s child?: Zelda’s daughter, Frances Scott Smith, passed away due to cancer.
- Was Zelda Fitzgerald a feminist?: While Zelda was known for her independent spirit, she did not identify as a feminist.