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# 100 Heroes: Alvin Ailey
- URL: https://www.gtv.blue/alvin-ailey/
- Published: 2026-01-05T00:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-05T07:57:42.000Z
- Description: The gay man who became a groundbreaking choreographer.
- Author: Gareth Johnson
- Tags: 100 Heroes

Alvin Ailey was an American dancer whose legacy has helped shape contemporary dance.

### Early life

Ailey was born in Texas in 1931.

In 1942, Ailey’s mother moved the family to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Ailey began training with Lester Horton, a dance teacher.

In 1953, Ailey joined Horton’s dance company on a full-time basis. Shortly after that, Horton died and Ailey assumed the role of Artistic Director of the company.

### Career

In 1958, Ailey launched his own dance company – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Ailey’s choreography was a dynamic and vibrant mix developed through his training in ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. Ailey insisted upon a complete theatrical experience, including costumes, lighting, and make-up.

Ailey created 79 pieces for his company, and the company’s repertoire has since expanded to include pieces from other choreographers.

### Personal life

Elements of homo-eroticism can be interpreted in much of Ailey’s choreography, but he was relatively private about his personal life.

Ailey died in 1989, aged 58\. The cause of death was AIDS-related illnesses.

To spare his mother the social stigma surrounding AIDS – which was significant at the time of his death – he asked his doctor to announce that he had died of terminal blood dyscrasia.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e8/3f/e83f7e76-af4a-4e9f-a171-931e3df7b588/content/images/2024/01/AA_32065_01_NMAA_A2013_245_3_2_14_2_11_001-min.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e8/3f/e83f7e76-af4a-4e9f-a171-931e3df7b588/content/images/2024/01/AA_30058_01_nypl.digitalcollections.96fd36f5-5dac-77fc-e040-e00a180643bc.001.w.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e8/3f/e83f7e76-af4a-4e9f-a171-931e3df7b588/content/images/2024/01/AA_33258_LOC_S.jpeg)

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