Awards & Honors
In chronological order:
1999
Michael was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the highest paid dancer earning $1,600,000 per week and for having the highest insurance premium placed on a dancer's legs at $40,000,000.
In December in New York City, Hilary Clinton presented Michael with the Outstanding Irish-American of the Century award.
1998
After 390 performances in the title role of Lord of the Dance, Michael took his art to a new level with Feet of Flames. First staged in front of an audience of over 25,000 people on July 25, in Hyde Park, in London's historic Route of Kings, Feet of Flames is the largest, most extravagant dance show ever produced.
The Feet of Flames and Lord of the Dance videos are two of the biggest selling performance videos of all time. They spent a staggering 51 weeks at the top of the German music video charts and 40 weeks in the number two position.
In February, Michael broke his own Guinness Book record by achieving an amazing 35 taps per second.
Lord of the Dance performed a record-breaking run of 21 shows at the legendary Wembley Arena in London.
In March, The Late Late Show aired a tribute to Michael on National Irish Television where he received a specially commissioned Waterford crystal statue in his own image.
1997
In March, Lord of the Dance hit the US with 13 consecutive sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall.
Michael and the Lord of the Dance troupe performed live at the Academy Awards show in Hollywood seen by over 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Chicago's Mayor Daley declared April 4, 1997 "Michael Flatley Day" in the City of Chicago.
In December, the Irish Entertainment Awards bestowed on Michael their Performance of the Year Award for Lord of the Dance.
1996
July 2, Michael premiered his own show, Lord of the Dance, at The Point in Dublin, Ireland. The show set live performance and video sales records all over the world. In Australia 250,000 tickets sold out in 10 days.
1995
Riverdance was expanded to a full-length production and Michael became a super-star receiving critical acclaim from all quarters.
1994
Michael was the principal star and choreographer of Riverdance, the featured highlight of the Eurovision Song Contest seen by over 300 million television viewers worldwide.
1993
Michael was invited to dance at the Spirit of Mayo in Dublin, a unique festival of Irish Dance and music. The audience included Irish President Mary Robinson.
1991
Michael was declared a living treasure by the National Geographic Society and was featured in an article in the January issue of National Geographic Magazine, titled Masters of Traditional Arts.