Linda Maybarduk was born in New York City and raised in Orlando, Florida. Educated at the National Ballet School in Toronto, she was a first soloist with the company. When Nureyev became associated with the National Ballet of Canada, they danced together and grew to be close friends. Nureyev stayed with Maybarduk whenever he was in Toronto, her sons were as close as nephews, and her daughter was his godchild. Linda Maybarduk is now retired from dance and lives in Toronto with her husband and children.
