Michael Flatley, the Irish-American dancer behind Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, once moved his feet so fast they tapped 35 times a second and required a £25m insurance policy on his legs. Now 67, he has not danced for nearly 10 years, but his drive remains undimmed.
Speaking in Dublin, Flatley discussed his career and health. He was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in 2023 and is still being treated. He had hoped to run as an independent candidate in the Irish presidential election but pulled out after a heart-to-heart with his 18-year-old son and because he could not obtain the necessary clean bill of health.
Flatley first shot to fame in 1994 with Riverdance, a seven-minute interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest. He went on to create Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger. Over his career he has met world leaders including Tony Blair, Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin and Nelson Mandela.
He also performed at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball. He said: “If the president of your country asks you to perform, it takes a better man than me to say no, whoever that person is.”
Though he has stepped back from dance, Flatley launched his own whiskey last year. He described his mind as “a Ferrari Formula One car racing around… it won’t stop”, adding that he is always thinking: “What’s next?”
