At a glance: Italy

Roberto Bolle

© UNICEF/HQ 04-0471/Toutounji

Roberto Bolle: “Defending children’s rights is a moral duty.”

Roberto uses dancing fame to help children

Roberto Bolle is one of Europe’s most exciting ballet dancers – and one of UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassadors. He was discovered by the legendary Rudolph Nuryev and at 29 years old he has firmly established his talent on the international stage.

He says his success was helped by a happy childhood and for the last five years he has worked for UNICEF, promoting children’s rights.

“There are real problems in the world and that’s why I’m so grateful to UNICEF and I’m so grateful to be a Goodwill Ambassador. To help other people have a better life helps me to remain in contact with the real problems and do something to help children,” he says.
Roberto trained at La Scala Ballet School in Milan, Italy, and was made a principal in 1996. In 1999, during a gala evening at Teatro dell'Opera, Rome, he was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambasador. He was only 24 years old.

Now he uses his fame to highlight children’s issues and works with UNICEF national committees in many different countries. He says he has a moral to defend children’s rights because he has received so much in life.