Michaela DePrince’s Mom Didn’t Know Ballerina Had Died at Time of Death

Elaine DePrince, the mother of ballerina Michaela DePrince, died within 24 hours of her daughter, having no idea she had died.

Michaela DePrince, born Mabinty Bangura, came to the United States from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone after being adopted by the DePrince family. She went on to become a world-renowned ballerina, dancing with the Boston Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She also performed alongside Beyoncé in the singer’s “Lemonade” music video.

On September 10, Michaela DePrince died. The following day, her mother died during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery, the DePrince family said in a statement. At the time of her procedure, Elaine DePrince did not know that her daughter had died.

While the DePrince family has not given a cause of death for the 29-year-old dancer, their official statement said the two deaths were “completely unrelated.”

Newsweek has contacted Jess Volinski, the family’s spokesperson, for comment by email outside normal business hours.

In a statement dated September 14 and posted on Instagram, the family expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of support” they had received, saying they were “comforted by” it. They also gave further details of the two women’s deaths.

“There has been a great deal of speculation online so the family would like to officially set the record straight about a few things,” they said. “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.”

The statement continued: “Michaela passed away on September 10th, not the 13th as some places have reported. Her mother Elaine died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on September 11th. 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.

“The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.

“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. We continue to ask for privacy and appreciate you directing anyone sharing incorrect information and speculation to this post.”

Michaela DePrince was 3 years old when she lost both parents during Sierra Leone’s civil war. She was sent to an orphanage, where she was mistreated and referred to as a “devil’s child” because of her vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose color. When she was 4, she was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince, who had 11 children, nine of whom were adopted.

From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a ballerina. In a 2012 interview with the Associated Press, she said that while she was in the orphanage, she saw a photo in a magazine of an American ballerina.

“All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” the dancer said, adding that she wished “to become this exact person.”

She continued: “I saw hope in it. And I ripped the page out and I stuck it in my underwear because I didn’t have any place to put it.”

The ballerina rocketed to fame after starring in the 2011 documentary First Position. The film documented her preparation, along with other young ballet dancers, for the Youth America Grand Prix, where she won a scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre. When she was 17, she appeared on Dancing With the Stars.

In a statement released on Friday announcing her death, Michaela DePrince’s spokesperson said the ballerina’s “artistry touched countless hearts” and her “spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond.”

The statement continued: “Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.

“She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.

“Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her.”