Ballet Star Michaela DePrince and Adoptive Mother Die Within 24 Hours in Heartbreaking Double Tragedy

After arriving in the US as an orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, Michaela Mabinty DePrince’s rise to fame as a ballet star was widely celebrated as a triumph over adversity. However, a double tragedy struck her family this week when it was revealed that both the 29-year-old ballerina and her adoptive mother passed away within 24 hours of each other.

DePrince, known for her trailblazing career, which included performing alongside Beyoncé, died suddenly on September 10, according to her family. The cause of her death was not disclosed. In a statement, her family shared that the past few days had been more difficult than most could imagine, as they were also mourning the loss of her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, who died during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery on September 11.

Family spokesperson Jess Volinski described the situation as “truly unimaginably painful,” adding, “Grieving two family members within 24 hours is both tragic and devastating.” The family also expressed their deep sorrow in a statement: “Michaela touched countless lives around the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story. From her early days in war-torn Africa to the global stage, she achieved her dreams and so much more.”

Born in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995, DePrince lost both her parents to the country’s civil war by the age of three and was placed in an orphanage. She had often spoken of being ostracized due to her vitiligo, a skin condition that led her to be labeled the “devil’s child,” resulting in less food and clothing than other children. Despite her hardships, a photo of an American ballerina blowing against the orphanage gate inspired her dream of becoming a dancer. “All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” DePrince said in 2012, recalling her wish “to become this exact person.”