Tragically, within just 24 hours, her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, also passed.
Although the cause of Michaela’s death has not been revealed yet, the family confirmed that her adoptive mother Elaine died “during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery” on September 11.
Michaela’s sister, Mia Mabinty DePrince, opened up about the heartbreaking double loss during an interview with the BBC earlier this week.
“It was really hard to hear because I normally pick up the phone to call my mum with anything, and it occurred to me that I couldn’t call her.”
She performed with Beyoncé and became a trailblazer in the dance world.
She made history by becoming the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York.
Later, Michaela returned to the US and continued her rise in the ballet world with the Boston Ballet.
Michaela’s early life was marked by tragedy. She was born in the city of Kenema in Sierra Leone.
She was placed in an orphanage where she faced harsh treatment because of her skin condition, vitiligo.
In 2014, Michaela shared her incredible journey in a memoir titled Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.
The book detailed her rise from a war-torn childhood in Africa to international ballet fame.
Following the devastating deaths of both Elaine and Michaela, the family issued a statement to the public.
“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.
“Michaela died before Elaine, and Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure.
“As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated.”
“What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating.”
