The mother of ballerina Michaela DePrince has passed away just one day after her daughter’s unexpected death at the age of 29, leaving the family in profound grief.
In place of sending flowers, Michaela DePrince’s family has requested donations to War Child, an organization she supported throughout her life.
In a 2012 interview with the Associated Press, DePrince recounted the pivotal moment she decided to pursue dance. She described seeing a magazine cover featuring a ballerina who appeared “really, really happy,” which inspired her to become “this exact person.”
DePrince also shared her challenging past, explaining, “I lost both my parents, so I was in the orphanage for about a year and wasn’t treated very well because I had vitiligo (a skin condition).” She described being ranked as number 27—considered the least favored—in the orphanage, resulting in minimal food and clothing.
Elaine ‘Mamma E’ DePrince, the mother of the late ballerina Michaela DePrince, has passed away just 24 hours after her daughter’s sudden death at the age of 29. Elaine DePrince died on Wednesday, September 11, as confirmed by family spokesperson Jessica Volinski in a Facebook post.
Volinski noted, “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.”
According to the family spokesperson, Elaine DePrince passed away during a routine procedure on September 11th, in preparation for a surgery. Michaela DePrince had died prior to Elaine, and Elaine was not informed of her daughter’s passing before the procedure.
The spokesperson described the situation as “unbelievable,” emphasizing that the two deaths were entirely unrelated. They noted that the only way to find meaning in this tragic sequence of events is to acknowledge that Elaine, who had previously lost three children many years ago, was spared the additional pain of losing a fourth child.
The family of Michaela DePrince is enduring an unimaginably painful time, grieving the loss of two family members within a 24-hour period. The situation is described as both tragic and devastating. They have requested privacy and ask that any incorrect information or speculation be directed to their official statement.
Michaela DePrince’s sudden death was announced by her spokesperson on Friday. The family has not disclosed the cause of death for the young dancer, who gained widespread admiration for her story of overcoming violence in Sierra Leone to become a renowned ballerina.
Over the weekend, reports emerged about Michaela DePrince’s final Instagram post, which some have found eerie. In the post, she shared a hand-gestured peace sign emoji while dressed in an all-black Nike outfit. The post was accompanied by Khalid’s song Better, featuring the lyrics: “Nothing feels better than this, nothing feels better.”
Born Mabinty Mangura, Michaela faced malnutrition and mistreatment in an orphanage before being adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince in New Jersey at age four. The DePrince family, which includes 11 children—nine of whom were adopted—helped her rise to fame. Michaela gained prominence at 17 with her appearance on Dancing with the Stars and was notably featured in Beyoncé’s Lemonade music video.
In the announcement of Michaela DePrince’s death on Friday, her spokesperson praised her as a figure of grace, purpose, and strength. The statement highlighted how her artistry profoundly impacted the world of ballet and beyond, noting that her commitment to her art, humanitarian efforts, and courage in overcoming challenges would continue to inspire. It emphasized that despite her brief time with us, her legacy would shine brightly in the hearts of all who were touched by her story.
Following Michaela’s passing, her sister, 30, shared a heartfelt Instagram post. She expressed deep shock and sadness, reminiscing about their early years in Africa, where they created musical theater plays and ballets together. The post reflected on how their adoptive parents supported their dreams, leading to Michaela’s rise as a renowned ballerina. The sister concluded with a touching tribute: “I love you, my beautiful Butterfly.”
Michaela DePrince was also known for her humanitarian work. As an Ambassador for War Child Holland, she frequently traveled to provide dance classes to orphans and children in conflict-affected regions. Her sister shared these details on Instagram, underscoring Michaela’s dedication to making a positive impact in the world.
