Road to The Mirage in Las Vegas Named Siegfried & Roy Drive
Their names lit up The Mirage marquee for nearly 14 years. Now their names will lead guests into the resort forever.
As The Mirage reopens its doors to the public this week, guests will turn off the Las Vegas Strip onto Siegfried & Roy Drive when they arrive at the property. The street was officially renamed for the Masters of Illusion, who were known the world over for their record-setting performance run at the resort from 1990-2003.
Roy Horn died earlier this year, at the age of 75, due to complications from COVID19.
"I'm touched by this honor and I know Roy, if he were here, would love to see our names permanently placed above The Strip," said Siegfried. "The Mirage was our performance home for so many years and this city has always meant so much to both of us."
Horn was elusive about his sexuality, but the duo came out as gay in a 2007 article for The National Enquirer. The couple met working on a cruise ship in 1957.
According to the New York Times, Siegfried & Roy catapulted to success after Princess Grace of Monaco raved about their act at a Monte Carlo charity benefit in 1966. By the late 80s, they were headlining in Las Vegas, signed to a $57.5 million deal with Steve Wynn, owner of the Mirage.
Horn's career ended in 2003 after he was mauled by a 400-pound white tiger during the show. Still, Siegfried & Roy's legacy lives on through their conservation efforts.
"In 1995, Mr. Horn and Mr. Fischbacher obtained two white lion cubs from the Johannesburg Zoological Society in South Africa. Only five white lions were known to exist then. Dr. Patrick Condy of the zoological society later told Cats magazine that breeding efforts by the two men 'virtually guarantee the white lions of Timbavati will not only continue to exist, but flourish,'" reported the New York Times.
The new street name was unveiled in conjunction with the reopening of The Mirage after a five-month closure due to the global pandemic.
MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said, "Siegfried & Roy helped us launch The Mirage and it is fitting their legacy helps us reopen today. Their incredible show played a tremendous role in putting The Mirage on the map. Today, we put them on the Las Vegas map, forever."
Reopening with the resort is Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, which features more than two dozen rare and endangered big cats and dolphins.