Ballerina aged 100 teaches seniors - 29th June 2026

Although Evelyn Cordero's now 100, she's kept her passion for ballet. She continues to share this passion with students at her dance academy in Santiago, in Chile.

These days, Evelyn teaches in trainers rather than ballet pointes. But she's been dancing since the age of four and even has dreams about ballet.

Evelyn Cordero: "I even think I've got out of bed in my sleep and started dancing. And I dream that I'm dancing. I do these beautiful leaps, touching the ceiling, I don't know, I lift off the ground. Then the turns, I do a ton of turns."

Now, Evelyn runs ballet classes to help older women. These 90-minute lessons, which she runs for 50 to 80 year olds, support their health and their confidence in moving their bodies.

Evelyn Cordero: "And I also think about people's health. Because ballet is also good for your health since it works all the muscles, and your whole mind as well. It's a very complete form of exercise."

People in Chile are living longer, and more of its older citizens are experiencing depression. Evelyn's classes have been helping people in this group to stay well, both physically and mentally. She's now been given a role as one of the 100 Senior Leaders of Chile.

Evelyn's also passed her love of dance on to her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Two of Evelyn's daughters have followed in her footsteps and are professional dancers.

As Evelyn's finding it harder to move and her hearing's getting weaker, the dance academy's now run by her daughters. However, she's got no intention of stepping back and retiring.