Foreign minister Luigi Di Maio on Thursday paid tribute to Italy's most celebrated ballerina, Carla Fracci, who has died aged 84 in Milan.
"A great star and a great woman has left us," Di Maio wrote on Facebook.
"The pride of Italy, renowned throughout the word, who made the art of dance her life's purpose, enchanting international audiences. An immense talent, like her humility. Farewell Carla," the post added.
A tram-driver's daughter, Fracci began dancing aged 10 and became prima ballerina at La Scala in her native Milan at 20. An Italian cultural icon, Fracci was famed for her romantic roles and performed alongside greats, notably Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
A statement from La Scala announcing Fracci's death recalled her "fairytale rise" as a dancer.
