Michaela DePrince, Renowned Ballerina and War Survivor, Dies at 29

DePrince rose from a war-torn childhood in Sierra Leone to international ballet fame, inspiring many with her story and talent.

Michaela DePrince passed away on September 10 in New York City at the age of 29, with the cause of death not immediately clear.
Born in Sierra Leone, DePrince overcame significant childhood trauma, including the loss of her parents and being ostracized due to her skin condition, vitiligo.
She was adopted by an American family and began her ballet training in Philadelphia and New York, eventually performing with the Dutch National Ballet and the Boston Ballet.
DePrince was known for her technical prowess and stage presence, and she broke barriers as a rare Black ballerina in a predominantly white field.
She also served as a goodwill ambassador for War Child, using her platform to advocate for children in conflict zones and inspire more diversity in ballet.