Kelly, Margaret (1910–2004)
Kelly, Margaret (1910–2004)
Irish-born choreographer and dancer. Name variations: Miss Bluebell. Born Margaret Kelly, June 24, 1910, in Dublin, Ireland; given up for adoption soon after, was taken in by a foster mother, Mary Murphy; grew up in Liverpool; died Sept 11, 2004, in Paris, France; m. Marcel Leibovici (Jewish-Romanian pianist), 1939 (died 1961); children: 3 sons, 1 daughter, including Patrick and Francis Leibovici and Florence Leibovici Shapiro.
Founder and force behind the world-famous Bluebell Girls and a celebrated figure in Parisian nightlife, began dancing professionally at 14, traveling throughout Europe with English ballet troupe; performed with a London Tiller School precision team until 18; organized the 1st line of precision dancers (1932), named The Bluebells, who appeared at Folies Bergére in Paris to great acclaim; during WWII, was interned by Nazis but gained release with help of Irish Embassy; after war, ran equally popular line of male performers, The Kelly Boys; began longterm association with dance director Don Arden at the Lido (1948); toured with Bluebells from Hong Kong to Rio De Janeiro to Las Vegas; retired at 79. Made OBE.
See also BBC miniseries "Bluebell" (1986).