August 1, 1927 - May 22, 2011

On May 22, 2011 Atlanta Ballet lost a beloved friend, Mrs. Thalia N. Carlos. The staff and Board of the Atlanta Ballet offer their condolences to the family and friends of Thalia, wife of the late Atlanta philanthropist Michael C. Carlos. Thalia was an Atlanta native and active community volunteer who was passionate about the arts community and Atlanta Ballet. Mr. and Mrs. Carlos were avid patrons of the Ballet, a tradition now carried on by their son, Chris M. Carlos, and daughter-in-law, Merry Carlos. Merry is a member of Atlanta Ballet’s Board of Trustees and both Merry and Chris are devoted parents to two girls in the Centre for Dance Education. Thalia was a frequent ballet attendee and greatly enjoyed watching her granddaughters perform annually in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. The Carlos family has been instrumental in Atlanta Ballet’s transformation. Their leadership and dedication resulted in the naming of Atlanta Ballet’s new home in honor of Mr. Carlos. The Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre opened in August 2010 with Thalia, Merry, and Chris cutting the ribbon together. Atlanta Ballet would not be able to provide innovative performances, transformational outreach programming, or dance education to Atlanta without the visionary leadership of Thalia and her family. The Carlos family has a rich legacy of philanthropy that began over five decades ago with Thalia and Michael C. Carlos. Thalia had a personal passion for the arts and making things beautiful and she strived to share this love with the Atlanta community. She was confident that Merry and Chris would continue the family’s legacy of philanthropy that has transformed the cultural landscape of the state of Georgia. Thalia’s spirit and generosity made an indelible mark on the Atlanta Ballet family, and all that had the pleasure to witness her passion for the arts and her family will truly miss her.

Pictured above from L to R: Merry Carlos, Christina Carlos, Chris Carlos, Catherine Carlos, and Thalia Carlos