Michaela DePrince, the 29-year-old ballerina celebrated for her remarkable journey from war-torn Sierra Leone to international fame, tragically passed away on September 10. While her family confirmed her sudden death, they did not disclose the cause. DePrince was known not only for her trailblazing ballet career but also for her performances alongside Beyoncé, as reported by Yahoo News.
Adding to the tragedy, DePrince’s adopted mother, Elaine, passed away just one day later on September 11 during a routine medical procedure. A family spokesperson, Jess Volinski, shared that the family has been facing immense difficulty, describing the situation as “tragic and devastating” due to the two heartbreaking losses in such a short span of time.
Michaela DePrince’s story began in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995. Her parents were killed during the country’s civil war, and she was sent to an orphanage where she faced discrimination due to her skin condition, vitiligo. Despite the hardships, DePrince found hope and inspiration in a photograph of an American ballerina, fueling her dream of becoming a dancer.
Her life took a transformative turn when an American couple from New Jersey adopted her and her sister, Mia. Once her adoptive mother saw Michaela’s passion for ballet, she enrolled her in dance classes. Michaela’s talent and dedication led her to graduate from the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre. She went on to become the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and gained widespread attention at just 17 years old, having been featured in a documentary and appearing on “Dancing With the Stars.”