Terry Cavaretta aka Terry Cavaretta-St. Jules (born 1953) is an American aerialist.[1][2] In 1977, she became the first woman to perform a quadruple somersault on flying trapeze. She is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for achieving the most triple somersaults.[3] She was also the first aerialist to perform a triple back somersault with one and a half twists.[4]

She was inducted into the Ring of Fame in 2009[5] and the International Circus Hall of Fame in 2014.[6]

Career

edit

She initially gained prominence as a member of "The Flying Cavarettas," a teen trapeze group formed with sisters Kandy, Maureen, Molli, and brother Jimmy Cavaretta. The Flying Cavarettas gained widespread media attention in the 1960s and 70s, appearing on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, and were recognized by Queen Elizabeth II following a performance in London.[7][8] The siblings' athletic good looks and unique appeal as a teenage trapeze team garnered significant attention, with Cavaretta and brother Jimmy emerging as breakout stars of the day.[9][10]

In 1968, The Flying Cavarettas began a multi-year engagement as the headliners at the newly opened Circus Circus hotel/casino in Las Vegas. After the group disbanded, Cavaretta performed with husband Roland "Ron" Eloy. Following his death, she reteamed with brother Jimmy, performing with him in Las Vegas and on tour until his 1990 retirement.[11][12][8] In 2012, Cavaretta founded a trapeze school in Las Vegas.[13]

Personal

edit

Cavaretta married trapeze catcher Roland "Ron" Eloy in 1971.[1] Years after Eloy's death, she married Réjean St. Jules, a juggler, in 1983.[2] Cavaretta and St. Jules have one son, Sebastian St. Jules (b. 2001).[14]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Circus Magazine, July 1976
  2. ^ a b Bandwagon, Nov 1987
  3. ^ Riley, S. Star Struck: An Encyclopedia of Celebrity Culture (2009), Page 48
  4. ^ Loxton, Howard. The Golden Age of the Circus (1977), P. 71
  5. ^ CORRESPONDENT, HILDEGARD SCHEIBNER. "Ring of Fame will welcome a new slate of circus performers". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ "Circus Hall of Fame Inductees | International Circus Hall of Fame". visit.circushalloffame.com.
  7. ^ Syndicated (1967-04-27). "Joan Crawford draws crowd to 'Palace'". Port Huron Times Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  8. ^ a b "Trapeze flier's career started at 5". The Los Angeles Times. p. 362. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  9. ^ Turmell, Kitte (1969-03-09). "These Fliers Keep Fit". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 33.
  10. ^ Harada, Wayne (1968-08-17). "Captivating Caravettas". The Honolulu Advertiser. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  11. ^ "Las Vegas!". The Los Angeles Times. 1986-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  12. ^ Bandwagon, July 2004
  13. ^ Komenda, Ed (October 4, 2013). "World-famous flier opens trapeze school in Las Vegas - VEGAS INC". vegasinc.lasvegassun.com.
  14. ^ El Ambidextro, Feb. 2014