Darcey Bussell (born London; April 27 1969) is an English ballerina, one of the most famous exponents of the art in recent decades.

After studying at the Arts Educational School, Bussell only began ballet seriously at the age of 13 when she moved to White Lodge in the Royal Ballet School. After graduating in 1985, she stayed at the school for two further years, appearing in minor productions at Covent Garden, before joining Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1987.

Whilst still at school, the great choreographer Kenneth MacMillan had noticed her talent, and in 1988 he gave her the leading role in Benjamin Britten's The Prince of the Pagodas , causing her to move to The Royal Ballet. Only a year later, in December 1989, on the opening night of the show, she was promoted to Principal, the youngest ballerina ever to be given the honour.

Her many roles include creating the roles of Masha in Winter Dreams and Princess Rose in The Prince of the Pagodas, both choreographed by MacMillan, as well as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty , Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayadère , the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the title role in Giselle.

In 1990 she received the Evening Standard Ballet Award, the 'Sir James Garreras Award for Most Promising Newcomer' from the Variety Club and 'Dancer of the Year' from Dance & Dancers magazine. In 1995 she was awarded an OBE.