It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Michaela DePrince, a talented Sierra Leonean-American ballerina, at the age of 29. Michaela’s journey from a war-torn country to the world ballet stage is truly inspiring.
Michaela was born in Sierra Leone and faced many hardships early in life. She lost her parents during the civil war and was taken to an orphanage. Despite suffering from vitiligo, a skin condition that caused her to be treated poorly, Michaela never gave up on her dreams. She was adopted by an American family, the DePrinces, who supported her passion for ballet.
Her love for ballet began when she saw a picture of a ballerina in a magazine. This dream led her to train in the United States, where she faced and overcame many challenges, including racial discrimination. Michaela’s talent and determination shone through, and she became a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet and later joined the Boston Ballet.
Michaela’s story was featured in the documentary “First Position,” and she co-authored a book with her adoptive mother titled “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.” She also appeared in a music video by Beyoncé and was an ambassador for War Child, helping children affected by war.
Michaela DePrince’s life was a testament to resilience and the power of dreams. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and fans around the world.
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