Misty Copeland Takes Final Bow as Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theater

Misty Copeland has taken her final bow.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Copeland, 43, celebrated her final ballet performance with American Ballet Theater ahead of her retirement. The professional dancer served as the dance company’s first black female principal dancer in history since its founding in 1939.

The performance, which took place at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, titled “A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland,” included performances by Copeland adn other dancers, speeches from esteemed guests and video montages of Copeland’s 25-year tenure with the ABT. The event was co-chaired by Caroline Kennedy and oprah Winfrey,and a part of ABT’s fall Gala.

After a five-year hiatus, Copeland returned to the stage for the event. The prima ballerina became the company’s first Black principal dancer at 32 years old.

Ahead of her final performance, she told PEOPLE exclusively that she would advise young dancers to “Try to find the joy. It’s one of the hardest things in the world to do, but, you have to remember the joy and and why you do it.”