Michael Flatley was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called malignant melanoma, after several decades of a successful dance career.

Flatley mentioned that he now regrets putting his body through so much stress all these years. Following his diagnosis, he raised fund for cancer research in Ireland.

Who Is Michael Flatley?

Michael Flatley is an Irish-American dancer famous for the dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live.

Born on July 16, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, Flatley has organized many dance shows in over 60 countries, and having over 60 million attendees in total.

In 2007, he performed on Dancing with the Stars with his troupe of dancers and later became a guest judge on the show.

Flatley refined the traditional Irish dance with unique rhythms, and body movements, and infusing it with contemporary dance styles.

He once held the Guinness World Records for “tap dancing 35 times per second”.

Flatley has been inducted into Irish America magazine’s Irish America Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was granted Arms by Ireland’s Chief Herald.

The sexagenarian has received countless honours and awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Irish Post.

Flatley quit dancing in 2016, following constant injuries in his spine, knee, foot, and ribs