Marie Taglioni was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1804.  Her father, a professional dance teacher, encouraged her to dance on the tips of her toes, creating a whole new form of dancing, or ballet, as we know it today.  She started performing in Vienna when she was in her early teens and quickly became a sensation.  People from all walks of life flocked to the theater to see the new ballerina.  
            She toured many countries, including Russia where she stayed so long the Russians affectionately referred to her as “our Taglioni.”  After she finally left, she liked to tell the story of the time her sleigh was held up by a lone highwayman and how she danced for him upon his leopard skin cape beneath the winter stars.   It cannot be proven that this tale is absolutely true, but it is known that she often asked for a piece of ice to be brought to her dressing room backstage.  She would leave it on her table to melt while she danced upon the stage, as her admirers said, “like fire.”  
            By the time she died in 1884, ballet was an established art and Marie Taglioni had secured a place in history as its first great star.
            
You can learn more about Marie at the following sites:

Marie Taglioni: The Instant Ballerina from the Dance Enthusiast
Dancer on Wings: Marie Taglioni from Living in Italy
And watch this video on Marie Taglioni's style with ballet mistress Ursula Hegel