The dance world felt a literal shiver on September 10, 2024. That was the day we lost Michaela Mabinty DePrince. She was only 29. For someone who had already lived a thousand lives—from a war orphan in Sierra Leone to a global ballet phenomenon—it felt impossible. Sudden. Unfair. Honestly, the news hit like a physical weight because Michaela wasn't just a dancer; she was a living, breathing proof that the "impossible" is just a lack of imagination.
She was a soloist at the Boston Ballet when she passed away in New York City. The outpouring of grief was instant. But then, things got even more surreal. Just 24 hours later, her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, died during a routine medical procedure. Talk about a double blow. The family later clarified that Elaine didn't even know Michaela had died. It was a "senseless" coincidence that left the community reeling.
Understanding the Michaela Mabinty DePrince Death and the Silence Around It
When a high-profile athlete or artist dies so young, people immediately want answers. "What happened?" is the first thing everyone types into Google. But here’s the thing: the family has been very private. To this day, the specific cause of the Michaela Mabinty DePrince death hasn't been publicly released.
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No "battle with illness" was mentioned. No long-term health struggle was cited.
The official statement from her team on Instagram simply said her life was defined by "grace, purpose, and strength." Some folks on Reddit and in dance forums have speculated—because that’s what the internet does—but the reality is that the family asked for privacy. They wanted the focus to remain on her legacy, not the clinical details of her final moments. It’s a reminder that even when someone belongs to the world through their art, their end belongs to their family.
A Tragedy Within a Tragedy
The timeline is what really messes with your head.
- September 10, 2024: Michaela passes away in NYC.
- September 11, 2024: Her mother, Elaine, passes away in New Jersey.
Jess Volinski, a family spokesperson, had to take to Facebook to clear up the confusion because rumors were flying that they died together or that one caused the other. They didn't. Elaine was prepping for a surgery and her heart just gave out. The family actually noted a small, bittersweet mercy: Elaine was spared the agony of losing a fourth child. She had already lost three sons to the hemophilia crisis (HIV/AIDS from contaminated blood) years prior.
The Girl They Called the "Devil’s Child"
To understand why her death feels so heavy, you have to look at where she started. Michaela wasn't born into a world of pink tutus. She was born Mabinty Bangura in 1995, right in the middle of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war.
She had vitiligo. In her village, those white patches on her skin were seen as a curse. The rebels killed her father. Her mother died of starvation and fever soon after. At the orphanage, she was ranked number 27—the least favorite child. They called her "the devil’s child."
Then came the magazine.
You've probably heard this story if you're a ballet fan, but it bears repeating. A magazine blew against the orphanage gate. On the cover was a ballerina. Michaela didn't know what ballet was, but she saw that the woman looked happy. She ripped that page out and hid it in her underwear for months. It was her only hope.
Defying the "Ballet Body" Standard
When Elaine and Charles DePrince adopted her and brought her to New Jersey, they didn't just give her a home; they gave her a chance to chase that magazine cover. But the industry wasn't exactly welcoming.
- The Body Type Myth: Teachers told her she was "too muscular" or "too athletic."
- The Color Barrier: She was famously told that "Black girls shouldn't be ballerinas because they have big butts and big thighs."
- The Vitiligo: She used to use heavy makeup to cover her spots because she was afraid the audience would be "disgusted."
She pushed through all of it. By the time she was 17, she was in the documentary First Position. Then came the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Then the Dutch National Ballet. She even performed in Beyoncé’s Lemonade. She didn't just join the world of ballet; she kicked the door down.
Why Her Legacy Matters More Than the Cause of Death
Basically, Michaela changed what a ballerina looks like. Before her, the "ideal" was a very specific, often European, frail aesthetic. Michaela brought power. She brought a jump that looked like she was actually flying.
She was also a massive advocate for War Child, an organization helping kids in conflict zones. She knew what it was like to be the child everyone gave up on. She spent her "off" time traveling to places like West Africa to teach dance and show kids that their current situation wasn't their final destination.
Misconceptions About Her Final Years
Some people think she had "made it" and was just coasting. Far from it. In 2020, after her adoptive father Charles died, Michaela struggled. She was stuck in Amsterdam due to COVID-19 and couldn't get home for the funeral. She was vocal about her mental health, taking a leave of absence to deal with the "unrest in her heart" and the trauma of her childhood that never truly went away.
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She moved back to the States in 2021 to join the Boston Ballet. She was looking for a fresh start. She was finding her joy again. That's what makes the timing of her passing so gut-wrenching.
What We Can Learn from Michaela’s Journey
If you're looking for a "takeaway" from the life and Michaela Mabinty DePrince death, it isn't about the tragedy. It's about the resilience.
- Nuance in Grief: You can be a world-class success and still carry deep trauma. Michaela taught us that being "strong" doesn't mean you don't need help.
- The Power of Representation: Every Black girl in a leotard today owes a bit of that confidence to Michaela. She proved that skin condition or race doesn't dictate your ability to hit a perfect grand jeté.
- Giving Back: Even at the height of her fame, she was a War Child Ambassador. She never forgot "Number 27."
Actionable Ways to Honor Her Memory
If you're moved by her story, don't just read about it and click away. Here is how you can actually keep her spark alive:
Support War Child: Michaela’s family specifically requested that instead of flowers, people should donate to War Child. This was her heart’s work. Your ten bucks could literally help a kid in a war zone find the same hope she found in that magazine.
Read her Memoir: Grab a copy of Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. It’s a raw, honest look at her life. It’s better than any news article could ever be because it’s in her own voice.
Champion Diversity in Your Local Arts: If you have kids in dance or you support local theaters, ask questions about diversity. Support scholarship funds for dancers of color. Michaela broke the ceiling, but we have to make sure it stays open.
Michaela DePrince didn't just dance; she survived. Then she thrived. And finally, she inspired. While the world is a little dimmer without her "gorgeous smile," the trail she blazed is wide enough for thousands to follow.