Alina Cojocaru’s breathtaking performances on stage have won the hearts of ballet fans all over the world. Beyond her irresistible grace and elegance lies a story of determination, resilience, and triumph.
In this post, we look at Alina Cojocaru’s life, from her family history to her early years and education, her contribution to ballet, and the accident that threatened to derail her dreams. Let’s go exploring!
Table of Contents
Alina Cojocaru’s Basic Info
- Birthday: May 27, 1981
- Zodiac: Gemini
- Nationality: Romanian
- Height: 5’2”
- Spouse: Johan Kobborg
Alina Cojocaru’s Family
Alina Cojocaru is a Romanian and was born on May 27, 1981. Despite being a gifted ballet dancer, she does not come from an artistic family. Her parents ran a family business in a Bucharest bazaar.
Cojocaru’s parents sent her to gymnastics from a young age because they thought she was too short. It was her parents’ decision that set the stage for her exposure to the arts.
Alina Cojocaru’s marriage
Alina Cojocaru’s husband is Johan Kobborg, a Danish ballet dancer and choreographer who has performed with many of the world’s top ballet companies.
The couple met while dancing at the Royal Ballet in London in 2001, fell in love, married, and had two daughters together. Alina Cojocaru’s daughters are named Thalia Chulpan (born in 2017) and Ella Armelle (born in 2020).
Cojocaru and Johan are a well-known power couple in the ballet world, having worked together on numerous productions and receiving critical acclaim for their performances.
Their successful ballet careers frequently intersected, with the two frequently collaborating in performances and productions. They first performed together in “Romeo and Juliet” at The Royal Ballet in 2001, and their chemistry was immediately apparent.
They have appeared in works such as “Giselle”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Mayerling”, and many others over the years. Their collaboration in Giselle ballet was named one of the top ten ballets of the decade in 2010.
The couple has performed as guest artists at many prestigious ballet companies around the world, including the American Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the American Ballet and Hamburg Ballet, in addition to their work at the London Royal Ballet.
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Alina Cojocaru’s Height & Weight
Alina Cojocaru stands at 5 feet 2 inches (157cm). This is considered an average height for a ballerina.
Her weight is estimated to be 99 pounds (45kg). This weight is considered appropriate for her height and figure, allowing her to perform the physically demanding ballet movements.
Alina Cojocaru’s Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, according to one source.
Alina Cojocaru’s Early Years & Education
Alina Cojocaru began dancing at the Bucharest Ballet School in her hometown at the age of nine, after about two years of gymnastic training.
She went to Kyiv Ballet School as an exchange student at the end of 1990. She received Russian ballet training there and had the opportunity to perform with the Kyiv Ballet ensembles.
After that, she received a 6-month scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London when she was 15. Cojocaru also began to achieve impressive results in ballet art at this time, when she competed in the Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition and the Moscow Ballet Competition.
Alina Cojocaru’s Contribution To Ballet
Alina Cojocaru joined Kyiv Ballet in 1998 as a principal. Then, in 1999, she accepted an invitation to join the Royal Ballet in London. Later that season, she was promoted to soloist. After performing in Giselle with Johan Kobborg, she was promoted to principal in 2001.
One of her most well-known performances was as Giselle in the ballet of the same name. Her performance is widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory, with accolades for emotional depth and technical brilliance.
She has also played lead roles in other classical ballets, including “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty”, cementing her reputation as one of the genre’s foremost interpreters.
Alina Cojocaru’s Accident
Cojocaru was seriously injured during a rehearsal in 2008. According to reports, she suffered a whiplash injury after falling awkwardly while being lifted by a partner.
This injury appeared to be the end of Alina Cojocaru’s ballerina career. Fortunately, she was able to resume dancing after several months of surgery and rehabilitation.
Alina Cojocaru Today: Is She Still Dancing?
After more than a decade of success, the couple Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg left the Royal Ballet at the end of the 2012/2013 season.
Why did Alina Cojocaru leave the Royal Ballet?
She explained in an interview that she and her husband wanted to take on new artistic challenges in their careers, which she had not been able to do at the Royal Ballet.
Alina Cojocaru joined the English National Ballet in 2013 and later transferred to the Romanian National Ballet, where Johan Kobborg served as artistic director. After leaving the company in 2016, the couple became guest artists at various ballet companies around the world.
Cojocaru is still dancing, and her grace and skill continue to inspire audiences all over the world. In 2020, she performed Alina at Sadler’s Wells, a self-produced show, at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
Alina Cojocaru has remained dedicated to her craft and continues to inspire audiences and dancers alike with her artistic expression and technical mastery at the age of 42.
Final Words
Alina Cojocaru is a phenomenal ballerina who has won the hearts of ballet fans all over the world. Despite an unfortunate accident that threatened her career, she has continued to dance with passion and grace.
We can be certain that her love of ballet will never fade. Her skill and dedication continue to inspire young dancers. And her legacy will live on in the world of ballet for generations to come.