Trailblazing Ballerina Michaela DePrince Passes Away at 29
Michaela DePrince, a renowned ballerina known for her inspiring journey from a war-torn orphanage in Sierra Leone to international fame, has tragically passed away at the age of 29. Her death was confirmed on September 13, 2024, through an announcement on her official Instagram account.
The cause of her death has not yet been disclosed, leaving her family, friends, and fans in deep mourning.
DePrince’s life story is one of triumph against the odds. Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone during the country’s brutal civil war, she lost both parents at a young age and was placed in an orphanage.
It was there that she first encountered ballet through a picture of a dancer in a magazine, igniting her lifelong passion for the art form.
After being adopted by an American couple, Elaine and Charles DePrince, Michaela was given the opportunity to pursue her dream, beginning ballet classes at the age of four.
Her determination and resilience saw her rise through the ranks of the dance world, despite facing discrimination due to her race and struggles with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation.
DePrince’s professional career was as illustrious as it was groundbreaking. She trained at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and went on to perform with some of the world’s top ballet companies, including the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Dutch National Ballet.
In 2021, she joined the Boston Ballet as a principal soloist, cementing her status as one of the few Black women to reach such heights in the predominantly white world of ballet.
Throughout her career, DePrince used her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity in ballet, pushing for representation of dancers of color.
She was also a passionate humanitarian, serving as an ambassador for War Child Holland, an organization that supports children affected by war and violence.
DePrince’s story of overcoming unimaginable hardships was chronicled in her memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which became an inspiration for many aspiring dancers around the world.
Her sudden passing has left the dance community in shock. Tributes have poured in from her colleagues and fans alike, with Boston Ballet issuing a statement that described DePrince as “a beautiful person and a wonderful dancer” whose “brilliance and legacy will continue to shine for generations.”
Her sister, Mia, also expressed her heartbreak, recalling their early days in the orphanage and how their adoptive parents supported Michaela’s dreams of becoming a ballerina.
Michaela DePrince’s life, though tragically cut short, will be remembered for its incredible resilience, artistry, and the lasting impact she made on the world of ballet. Her legacy as a trailblazer for Black dancers will continue to inspire future generations.
