He died at the age of 29 the ballerina Michaela DePrinceplunging the world that knew and loved the “black swan” from Sierra Leone into grief.

Her death was announced on her personal page at Instagram with her family stating that she was an “unforgettable inspiration to all who knew her or heard her story”.

Her family said her death was “sudden”, adding: “Michaela touched so many lives around the world, including our own.”

“Despite being told that ‘the world wasn’t ready for black ballerinas’ or that ‘black ballerinas weren’t worth investing in,’ she remained determined, focused and began to make great strides,” wrote one American ballerina.

Check out this Instagram post.

This post was shared by Michaela Mabinty DePrince (@michaeladeprince)

The post:

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose art touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond.

Her life was defined by grace, purpose and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can emerge from the darkest places.

Although her time with us was all too short, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go out to her chosen family, friends and those who loved her.

Sincerely,
Team MDP”

Her path in classical dance

Michaela Mabinty DePrince made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theater of Harlem before moving to the Netherlands to dance with the Dutch National Ballet.

Her career progressed at the Boston Ballet upon her return to the United States, where she continued to enchant audiences with her performances.

Through her memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, DePrince shared her journey, which has been translated into multiple languages ​​and published in a dozen countries. Her next book, Ballet Dreams, further strengthened her impact, extending her influence far beyond the stage.

DePrince he was also a committed humanitarian, advocating for children affected by conflict and violence. She served as Ambassador for War Child Holland and organized her gala, Dare to Dream, dedicated to promoting the well-being and mental health of children living in war zones.

Her story

DePrince was born in Kenema, Sierra Leone in 1995, and was sent to an orphanage at age 3 after both her parents died during the civil war.

She has previously spoken of how she was seen as a ‘child of the devil’ at the orphanage because she suffered from vitiligo.

He was adopted at the age of 4 by an American couple and moved to New Jersey. Her stepmother quickly noticed her obsession with ballet and enrolled her in dance lessons.
After graduating from high school she became famous by making history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Check out this Instagram post.

This post was shared by Michaela Mabinty DePrince (@michaeladeprince)

DePrince has performed around the world, including on Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” music album.
She joined the prestigious Boston Ballet as a second soloist in 2021 and starred on the TV show Dancing with the Stars when she was just 17 years old.

It supported children affected by conflict and violence. A spokesperson wrote that her art “touched countless hearts” and her spirit “had inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond.”
They added: ‘Her life was defined by grace, purpose and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.
“She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can emerge from the darkest places.”