Ballet Star Michaela Mabinty DePrince. Getty Image
Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a principal soloist with the Boston Ballet, has passed away at the age of 29. Her death was confirmed on September 13 through her official Instagram account, though the cause was not disclosed.
In a heartfelt message, the statement described her as a figure of grace, purpose, and strength. It read, "Her life was marked by a deep commitment to her art, her humanitarian work, and her bravery in overcoming immense challenges. Her legacy will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of many for years to come."
DePrince was born in Sierra Leone in 1995 but was sent to an orphanage after losing her parents during the country’s civil war. At the age of 4, she was adopted by an American family. Following her death, her adoptive family expressed their sorrow publicly. "We are profoundly saddened by the sudden loss of our dear sister, Michaela Mabinty DePrince," they posted on Facebook. "Michaela's impact was felt worldwide, and she inspired everyone who knew her."
Her sister, Mia Mabinty DePrince, who was adopted alongside Michaela from Sierra Leone, also shared her grief. "I am in shock and deeply saddened," she wrote. "Michaela was an inspiration in everything she did, from her performances on stage to her efforts in providing dance classes to orphans. She has left a lasting mark on the world and will be greatly missed."
DePrince had openly shared the hardships of her early life in an orphanage, where she found a discarded magazine featuring a ballerina that sparked her dream of becoming a dancer. "I had never seen anything so beautiful," she recounted in a 2012 interview. "It filled me with hope and showed me what I wanted to become."
After being adopted and moving to New Jersey, DePrince began her formal ballet training at the Rock School of Dance in Philadelphia, followed by the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet. She joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2012, danced with the Dutch National Ballet, and became a principal soloist with the Boston Ballet in 2021.
The Boston Ballet honored DePrince with a statement on Instagram, expressing their condolences and acknowledging her remarkable contributions. "We were honored to know Michaela. She was a remarkable dancer and person, and her absence will be deeply felt."
DePrince is survived by her sister Mia and her siblings Beelee, Jaye, Mariel, Amie, Adam, and Erik.
