Ballerina Michaela DePrince, who inspired many, dies at 29 after war-started life.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a talented ballet dancer who rose from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone to perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, has passed away. Her family confirmed the news, stating she was just 29 years old.

In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, her family expressed, “Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story. Her journey from her early life in Africa to stages and screens worldwide was a testament to her dreams and aspirations.”

The cause of her death has not been disclosed.

DePrince was adopted by an American couple and, by the age of 17, had already made significant strides in her career. She starred in a documentary and appeared on the popular television show “Dancing With the Stars.”

Upon completing her education at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, DePrince became a principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She later danced with the Dutch National Ballet before returning to the United States in 2021 to join the Boston Ballet.

The Boston Ballet expressed their condolences, stating, “We’re sending our love and support to the family of Michaela Mabinty DePrince at this time of loss. We were so fortunate to know her; she was a beautiful person, a wonderful dancer, and she will be greatly missed by us all.”

Michaela chronicled her remarkable journey in her memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.” She also authored a children’s book titled “Ballerina Dreams.”

Despite her success, DePrince faced significant challenges due to a skin pigmentation disorder, which led to her being labeled “the devil’s child” in the orphanage. In a 2012 interview, she recounted her experiences, stating, “I lost both my parents, so I was there for about a year and I wasn’t treated very well because I had vitiligo. We were ranked as numbers, and number 27 was the least favorite — that was my number. I got the least amount of food and clothes.”

She fondly remembered discovering a photo of an American ballet dancer in a magazine that had blown against the orphanage gates amid Sierra Leone’s civil war. “All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” DePrince said, recalling how she wished to become just like her. “I saw hope in that photo, and I ripped the page out and I stuck it in my underwear because I didn’t have any place to put it.”

Her passion and success served as an inspiration for many young Black dancers, her family noted. “We will miss her and her gorgeous smile forever and we know you will, too,” they said.

Her sister, Mia Mabinty DePrince, reminisced about their time together in the orphanage, recalling how they shared a mat and created their own performances. “When we got adopted, our parents quickly poured into our dreams and arose the beautiful, gracefully strong ballerina that so many of you knew her as today. She was an inspiration,” Mia shared. “Whether she was leaping across the stage or flying to third-world countries to provide dance classes to children, she was determined to conquer her dreams.”

Michaela leaves behind five sisters and two brothers. Her family has requested that, instead of flowers, donations be directed to War Child, an organization she was involved with as an ambassador. “This work meant the world to her, and your donations will directly help other children who grew up in an environment of armed conflict,” they stated.