This photograph of proud papa Lou, daughter Dolly and the boss was taken in the early 1980s.
Dolly Jacobs first joined the Red Unit as a 14-year old show girl in 1971, moving to a solo spot on Roman Rings in 1977.
In the years that followed Dolly became the unquestioned queen of the air on Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey and the Big Apple Circus, twice winning the “Dame du Cirque” (lady of the circus) from Prince Albert at the Monaco Circus Festival.
Today Dolly and husband Pedro Reis are in their 22nd year of managing their non-profit Circus Arts Conservatory, which educates students in the art of performance and advances the history and legacy of the circus.
-C. Berry