Michaela DePrince, ballerina of the Boston Ballet, dies at the age of 29

The ballet community mourns the loss of dancer Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a professional ballerina with the Boston Ballet and Star of the Year for 2011. First place Documentary who died at the age of 29.

DePrince grew up as an orphan in Sierra Leone before being adopted by an American family and moving to the United States, she said Shine in 2015.

Passionate about dancing since childhood, she studied at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet of the American Ballet Theatre before joining the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2012. She has also danced for the Dutch National Ballet and became a principal dancer with the Boston Ballet in 2021.

The news of DePrince's death was confirmed in a statement posted on her official Instagram account on Friday, September 13.

“It is with pain in our hearts that we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose art touched countless hearts and whose spirit left many inspired and indelible marks on the world of ballet and beyond,” began the statement signed by Team MDP.

DePrince's life was “marked by grace, determination and strength,” her team continued. “Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will inspire us forever.” She remembers the dancer as someone who “was a beacon of hope for many, showing that regardless of the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from even the darkest places.”

Team MPD added, “Although her time with us was far too short, her genius and legacy will continue to shine for generations to come in the hearts of all who were touched by her story. Love and prayers go out to her adopted family, friends and those who loved her.”

A cause of death was not disclosed.

DePrince leaves behind five sisters and two brothers. In a written statement on Facebook, her sister Mia said she was “truly in a state of shock and deep sadness” following her sister's death.

“My beautiful sister is no longer here,” Mia continued. “From the very beginning, when we slept on a shared mat in the orphanage in Africa, Michaela (Mabinty) and I created and performed our own musical theatre pieces.”

Mia remembered how she and her sister “created our own ballets” as children.

“When we were adopted, our parents fulfilled our dreams and created the beautiful, graceful and strong ballerina that so many of you know her as today,” Mia said, calling her sister “an inspiration.”

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“Whether she was jumping across the stage or hopping on a plane and flying to third world countries to teach dance to orphans and children, she was determined to achieve all her dreams in the fields of art and dance. Michaela (Mabinty) has left her footprints in the sand and on so many stages around the world. She will truly be missed,” concluded Mia.

The DePrince family thanked the public for “their privacy during this very difficult time” and said the ballerina's funeral would be private.

The Boston Ballet also issued a statement honoring DePrince on Friday. “We send our love and support to the family of Michaela Mabinty DePrince during this time of loss,” the company said, adding, “We were so lucky to know Mabinty. She was a wonderful person, a wonderful dancer, and we will miss her greatly.”