Tamara Geva

Tamara Geva (, born Tamara Levkievna Zheverzheeva, ; 17 March 1906 – 9 December 1997) was a Soviet and later an American actress, ballet dancer, and choreographer. She was the daughter of art patron and collector and she was the first wife of the well-known ballet dancer and choreographer George Balanchine. Throughout her life she danced with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, danced with husband George Balanchine, and performed in and choreographed many notable Broadway shows as well as Hollywood movies. Family and early life Tamara Geverzheeva was born in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire on March 17, 1906. Geva's mother Tamara Urtahl was an actress, while her father was a passionate collector and art enthusiast.