Lady Margaret Tupper

Board Member; Board Vice-President; Founder of Board of Directors & Women’s Committee

Details

Rank

Place of Birth

Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada

Joined the Company

Training

Awards

honour roll inductee

Biography

Lady Margaret Tupper was a formidable force in the founding and development of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. A visionary supporter, community connector, and passionate advocate for the arts, she helped lay the groundwork for what would become one of Canada’s most celebrated cultural institutions.

Her involvement began even before the Winnipeg Ballet Club’s official formation. Recognizing the potential of ballet in Winnipeg, Lady Tupper hosted a pivotal cocktail party to introduce Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally to key figures in the community. Among the guests was David Yeddeau, who would later be recognized as the third founder of the RWB. That evening set in motion a chain of events that would shape Canadian ballet history.

Lady Tupper used her position of influence to galvanize community and financial support. A founding member of the Winnipeg Ballet Board of Directors, she also served as Vice President following its formal incorporation in 1949,  an initiative she herself proposed to ensure long-term governance and sustainability. She enlisted her husband, Sir Charles Stewart Tupper, a prominent lawyer and grandson of a Father of Confederation, to handle the company’s legal affairs. She even ensured her daughter Margo joined the newly formed Women’s Committee, fostering multi-generational support for the ballet.

A committed community leader, Lady Tupper also served as President of the Women’s Committee from 1950 to 1953, leading important fundraising efforts and organizing events that helped engage the broader public. She had a remarkable ability to bring people together and inspire shared support for the arts.

Her dedication extended to securing visibility for the company on a national and international level. In 1951, she played a key role in ensuring the Ballet’s participation in the Manitoba visit of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. She later played a key role in advocating for the company’s royal designation. Through thoughtful correspondence with her contacts in London and Governor General Vincent Massey, she helped secure the honour in 1953 making the Royal Winnipeg Ballet the first ballet company in the Commonwealth to receive such recognition.That same year, artistic director Arnold Spohr dedicated his ballet Children of Men to her in recognition of her contributions.

Her commitment to the RWB did not end there. She remained a steadfast supporter, using her connections in London and North America to advocate for the company’s growth. Her strategic efforts played a crucial role in securing international touring opportunities and building the foundation for the RWB’s future success.

Lady Margaret Tupper’s legacy lives on through the company she helped establish. Her vision, leadership, and tireless advocacy ensured the survival and prominence of the RWB.