Michaela Mabinty DePrince: Celebrating the Life of a Remarkable Ballet Dancer

Michaela Mabinty DePrince: A Life of Inspiration and Triumph

Ballet dancer Michaela Mabinty DePrince, renowned for her remarkable journey from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone to the grand stages of the world, has passed away at the age of 29, as confirmed by her family in a heartfelt statement. “Michaela touched countless lives globally, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or learned of her extraordinary story,” her family shared in a statement posted on her social media accounts. “From her challenging beginnings in conflict-ridden Africa to achieving her dreams on prestigious stages and screens worldwide, she accomplished so much more than anyone could have imagined.” The cause of her untimely death has not been disclosed.

A Story of Hardship and Perseverance

DePrince’s journey began in Sierra Leone, where she faced unimaginable hardships after losing both of her parents at a tender age. Placed in an orphanage, her early life was marked by struggles, including the stigma associated with her skin pigmentation disorder, which led to her being labeled “the devil’s child.” In her memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” she vividly recounts her transformation from a vulnerable orphan to a celebrated dancer. She also authored a children’s book titled Ballerina Dreams.

By the age of 17, DePrince had already been featured in a documentary and showcased her talent on the popular television series “Dancing With the Stars.” Reflecting on her time in the orphanage, she once told the AP in a 2012 interview, “I lost both my parents, so I was there for about a year and I wasn’t treated very well because I had vitiligo. We were ranked as numbers, and number 27 was the least favorite, which was my number, so I received the least amount of food and clothing.”

Despite these challenges, a pivotal moment in her life came when she stumbled upon a magazine page that contained a photo of a joyful American ballet dancer. “All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” DePrince shared. Inspired by that image, she tucked the ripped page into her underwear, holding onto the hope it represented. “I wished to become this exact person,” she recalled.

Her sister, Mia Mabinty DePrince, reminisced in the family statement about their shared experiences in the orphanage, where they would create their own musical theatre plays and ballets on a shared mat. “When we were adopted, our parents quickly nurtured our dreams and helped develop the beautiful, gracefully strong ballerina that so many of you knew her as today. She was an inspiration,” Mia wrote. “Whether she was leaping across the stage or flying to third-world countries to provide dance classes for orphans and children, she was determined to conquer her dreams in the arts and dance.”

After completing her high school education and training at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, DePrince became a principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She later joined the Dutch National Ballet before returning to the United States to perform with the Boston Ballet in 2021.

An Ambassador for War Child

DePrince’s passion for dance inspired many young Black dancers to pursue their aspirations in the arts, a legacy her family cherishes. “We will miss her radiant smile forever, and we know you will, too,” their statement said.

She is survived by five sisters and two brothers. In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that donations be made to War Child, an organization that DePrince passionately supported as a War Child Ambassador. “This work meant the world to her, and your contributions will directly assist other children who, like her, grew up in environments of armed conflict,” her family expressed in their heartfelt statement.