The world of ballet is still reeling from the unexpected death of 29-year-old Michaela DePrince, who emerged from the hardships of an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone to become an inspiration to thousands who know her story or who enjoyed her performances.
The grief was compounded by the death of her mother, Elaine DePrince, just a day after, on September 11, during a routine medical procedure.
Family spokesperson Jessica Volinski wrote on Facebook, “The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaela’s adoptive mother Elaine DePrince,” Volinski wrote.
Elaine “died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery,” Volinski said, while also noting that although “Michaela died before Elaine,” her mother “did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure.”
Michaela’s journey was nothing short of extraordinary. Adopted by an American family, she faced challenges with a rare skin condition, vitiligo, which made her early life even more difficult. However, her indomitable spirit saw her rise through the ranks of the ballet world, earning scholarships and performing with prestigious companies such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet, and most recently, the Boston Ballet.
Her story reached a wide audience through her memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” and her children’s book, “Ballerina Dreams.” She also graced the screen in the documentary “First Position” and Beyoncé’s “Freedom” music video, showcasing not only her talent but also her drive to make a difference beyond the stage.
