Boston Ballet principal soloist Michaela Mabinty DePrince passed away at the age of 29, and just one day later, her adoptive mother Elaine DePrince also passed away from an unrelated illness during a routine procedure. The family spokesperson, Jess Volinski, announced both deaths and clarified that they were unrelated. Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure. The family asked for privacy as they mourned their losses.
Michaela DePrince, born in Sierra Leone during the civil war, was orphaned as a child and adopted by Elaine DePrince alongside another girl named Mia. Elaine initially planned to adopt Mia but decided to adopt both after learning of Michaela’s rejected by 12 families due to her vitiligo. Michaela’s passion for ballet led her to become the youngest ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and later a principal soloist at the Boston Ballet.
A cause of death for Michaela DePrince has not been shared, and the family is grieving the loss of both Michaela and Elaine. Despite the tragedy of losing both the mother and daughter, the family finds solace in the idea that Elaine, who had lost three children in the past, was spared the pain of losing a fourth child. Throughout her life, Michaela DePrince had been candid about her love for ballet, sharing posts from her performances and inspiring others with her journey from orphan to accomplished ballerina.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
