The World Mourns the Loss of Michaela Mabinty DePrince, Trailblazing Ballerina and Humanitarian, Dead at 29
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
KENEMA, Sierra Leone – The dance world and humanitarian community are in mourning following the tragic death of Michaela Mabinty DePrince, the celebrated Sierra Leonean-American ballerina, who passed away on September 13, 2024, at the age of 29. DePrince, whose life story inspired millions, died just as she had lived – leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Born Mabinty Bangura on January 6, 1995, in Kenema, Sierra Leone, DePrince’s early life was shaped by the brutal realities of the Sierra Leonean civil war. Orphaned at the age of three after the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) killed her father and her mother succumbed to starvation, she was taken to an orphanage by an uncle. There, she faced malnutrition and harsh mistreatment due to her vitiligo, a skin condition that causes depigmentation. After the orphanage was bombed, she found refuge in a refugee camp.
In 1999, her life took a transformative turn when she and another girl, also named Mabinty, were adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The DePrince family, with 11 children—nine of whom were adopted—gave her the love and support that would propel her toward a remarkable future. Renamed Michaela Mabinty DePrince, she embarked on an extraordinary journey that would see her rise to the pinnacle of the ballet world.
Her career in ballet was nothing short of extraordinary. DePrince became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and later joined the Dutch National Ballet in the Netherlands. Her talents brought her back to the United States, where she performed with the prestigious Boston Ballet, captivating audiences with her grace, strength, and technical brilliance. Oumar Farouk Sesay, a renowned poet, wrote of DePrince, “Her body became a hymn of resilience and grace, each leap a defiance of gravity, each turn an audacity of fate.”
Michaela’s life story, from war orphan to star ballerina, was captured in her best-selling memoir Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which gained international acclaim and was published in 12 countries. Her follow-up book, Ballet Dreams, further solidified her legacy and influence in the world of dance.
Beyond the stage, DePrince was a passionate humanitarian. She served as an Ambassador for War Child Holland, working tirelessly to raise awareness about the mental health and well-being of children affected by conflict. She also organized the Dare to Dream gala, which supported children living in war-torn regions. Her compassion and dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable children were just as significant as her achievements in ballet.
Michaela Mabinty DePrince’s death is a profound loss to both the artistic and humanitarian worlds. She is remembered not only for her incredible talent as a dancer but also for her unwavering commitment to using her platform to advocate for children in need.
She is survived by her loving family and the countless people whose lives she touched through her artistry and humanitarian work. Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose life was a testament to resilience, grace, and the power of hope, will be deeply missed. May her soul rest in peace.