END OF A LEGENDARY ERA: “Plate Lady” Officially Announces Her Inability to Continue in Sport at Age 90, Marking the Final Curtain Call on a Remarkable Seven-Decade Career That Transformed Live Entertainment Forever…….
In a bittersweet announcement that marks the end of an extraordinary era in performance history, the world-renowned entertainer known affectionately as the “Plate Lady” has officially retired from the spotlight at the age of 90. Her departure concludes a breathtaking seven-decade career that not only captivated audiences around the globe but also helped redefine the limits of human agility, balance, and endurance in live entertainment.
Known for her dazzling plate-spinning routines, unparalleled showmanship, and timeless charisma, the Plate Lady—born Margaret “Maggie” Chen in 1935—rose to prominence in the 1950s as a novelty act on traveling vaudeville circuits before becoming an international icon. Her act, which initially began with three ceramic plates and a makeshift wooden rod, evolved into a mesmerizing whirlwind of up to twenty spinning dishes balanced across multiple poles—while she simultaneously performed acrobatic maneuvers, danced, and engaged with the audience through comedy and theatrical storytelling.
In a public statement released through her longtime manager and close confidant, Harold Jansen, Maggie expressed both gratitude and a sense of deep reflection. “My body has finally told me what my heart has long resisted,” she wrote. “The time has come to step off the stage, not in defeat, but in celebration of a life lived in motion.”
For generations, the Plate Lady stood as a symbol of tenacity, innovation, and artistic brilliance. In a performance world that often emphasized youth and novelty, she defied age and convention with every spin. Even into her late 80s, she was still performing live exhibitions at circuses, festivals, and cultural showcases around the world, including her final public performance last year at the Vienna International Arts Gala, where she received a nine-minute standing ovation.
Maggie Chen’s career was not only impressive for its longevity but also for its impact. She was one of the first female performers to headline a solo act in a traditionally male-dominated arena, paving the way for countless others in circus and variety arts. She was also instrumental in reviving plate-spinning as a legitimate form of physical artistry, helping to elevate it from comedic filler to a respected discipline. Her influence is evident in the dozens of younger performers she mentored, many of whom have gone on to enjoy international careers of their own.
Tributes have been pouring in from fans, fellow performers, and cultural institutions worldwide. Cirque du Soleil issued a statement calling her “a visionary and a cornerstone of modern live performance,” while The Guinness World Records recognized her as the “Longest-Performing Plate Spinner in History,” a title she has held since 2013.
Despite her official retirement, Maggie Chen has hinted that she may continue to contribute to the world of performance in other ways. Plans are reportedly underway for a documentary chronicling her life, as well as a foundation in her name aimed at supporting aspiring performance artists from underprivileged backgrounds.
“She may no longer be on stage,” said her granddaughter and fellow performer Lila Chen, “but the echo of her plates, her laughter, and her defiance of gravity will be felt forever.”
As the final curtain falls on this truly legendary era, the legacy of the Plate Lady will endure—in every spin, in every cheer, and in the enduring belief that age is no limit when passion leads the way.