Shirley Ballas
#16107 Most Popular
About
Professional ballroom dancer whose success in Latin dance earned her the title of "The Queen of Latin." She's the mother of Mark Ballas, who's seen on Dancing with the Stars. In 2017, she became the head judge on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
Before Fame
She made a name for herself in the 1980s with her partner and husband at the time Sammy Stopford, with whom she won the 1983 International Latin American Dance Championship.
Trivia
She and Stopford also finished second in several World Latin Dance Championships in the 1980s. She also won the 1995 competition with her husband at the time, Corky Ballas.
Family Life
She was married to Sammy Stopford from 1980 to 1984 and Corky Ballas from 1985 to 2007.
Associated With
She and Karen Hardy have both won International Latin American Dance Championships.
