FORMER PREMA BALLERINA VISITS FALKLANDS WITH TRADE DELEGATION
By J Brock (FINN)
A member of the Chilean Trade delegation now visiting the Falklands, Berthica Prieto is CEO of the Studio Berthica Pieto Pilates and Gyrotonic (holistic approach to movement). However, she is better known as a prima ballerina in Chile.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Ms Prieto moved to Puerto Rico as a young woman and studied at the University of Puerto Rico before moving to New York City and joining the Harkness Ballet. When the Ballet Company folded, she joined The American Ballet Theatre in New York, one of the greatest dance companies in the world, revered as a living national treasure since its founding in 1939.
During her tenure in New York Ms Prieto performed with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev in a variety of repertoires including “The Nutcracker” and “Giselle.”
Bertha Prieto is an American citizen and has lived in Chile for 44 years. After moving to Chile, Ms Pieto became Chile’s Prima Ballerina with the Ballet de Santiago.
Retiring from Ballet in 1994, Ms Prieto set up the Estudio Berthica Prieto Pilates, Gyrotonic in Santiago. While in the Falklands she has met with several Government and Business organisations and has taken field trips, including one to the Argentine Cemetery in Darwin and the Blue Beach Cemetery. The delegation leaves the Falklands on Saturday’s LAN Flight.
Bertha Prieto is married to Miguel Zegers, who came to the Falklands on Saturday’s LAN Flight as part of the delegation. Though retired, he manages investment companies that he owns
whose purpose is the acquisition of shares in the international market.
