Darcey Bussell.

Darcey Bussell has been the closest thing to royalty in the British ballet world for the past 20 years. At the peak of her professional life, she has decided to retire. "I have always wanted," she said, "to end my full-time career still dancing the full classical repertoire at the standard to which I aspire."

Bussell, 38, was born in London and trained at The Royal Ballet School. A member of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, she was plucked at 19 by Kenneth MacMillan for the main company. At 20 she created the leading role in his Prince of the Pagodas, and became the darling of Covent Garden-goers. She was made principal-the youngest in the company's history--straight after the performance. Bussell and MacMillan forged a tremendous partnership-she the muse, he the master craftsman--and his early death was a deep blow. Bussell offers an unforced, silky-smooth technique and joyous, well-thought-out characterization. She also delights audiences in works by Balanchine, Tharp, and Wheeldon.

With a fresh, photogenic face and wonderful smile, she has a gentle aristocratic air and a genuine interest and love of people. She has been a guest in top international ballet companies, and her portrait hangs in London's National Portrait Gallery. For her farewell performance in June, she danced MacMillan's poignant Song of the Earth. Then, with tears running down her face, she acknowledged a 20-minute standing ovation as flowers rained down from the balconies. She will be sorely missed as a ballerina, but rumors abound of tap and ballroom performances in the future.