The Incredible Story of Nikolett Tóth

Professional dancer Nikolett Tóth’s life changed forever on June 27, 2022. She was on her way to work at the Budapest Operetta Theatre when the residential building at 1 Jókai Street partially collapsed, including a section of the attic under construction. The dancer sustained life-threatening injuries: a fractured skull, broken collarbone, pelvis, and cheekbone, severe injuries to her hand and spine, and nearly all her vertebrae were broken. The full list of her injuries comprises over forty points. While in the hospital, she was also treated for pneumonia and sepsis, and at one point required resuscitation. Over the past three and a half years, Nikolett and her mother have moved into a new, wheelchair-accessible apartment. Her mother, Adrienn, now provides full-time care, while Nikolett undergoes physiotherapy and ongoing treatments. She has endured ten surgeries and numerous legal proceedings, yet she has returned to the theatre, working as a ballet master with the Operetta Theatre and appearing on stage as the Grandmother in The Nutcracker. I have been following Nikolett’s story for months to show that, with extraordinary determination and willpower, it is possible to rise even from the deepest lows. Her journey is a testament to a dancer’s struggle to regain control over her body and an inspiring example of resilience and courage in the face of life’s challenges.