The passing of Michaela DePrince, a ballet icon and humanitarian who overcame a traumatic childhood, was announced on her Instagram page at the age of 29. Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, she endured mistreatment, malnourishment, and vitiligo at the orphanage where she grew up. Forced to flee to a refugee camp due to impending danger, DePrince was eventually adopted by a couple from New Jersey and moved to the United States at the age of 4.
Despite her challenging past, DePrince found solace and inspiration in dance, eventually training at prestigious ballet schools and making a name for herself in the dance world. She faced racial discrimination along the way, but her determination was unwavering. DePrince’s career soared as she became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and joined the Dutch National Ballet, breaking new ground and inspiring many.
Outside of dance, DePrince was a passionate advocate for children affected by conflict and violence, serving as an ambassador for War Child Holland. Her life was characterized by grace, purpose, and strength, leaving a lasting impact on those around her.
DePrince’s unexpected passing has left her family, friends, and admirers in mourning. Details about the cause of her death and memorial services are yet to be disclosed. Despite the tragic loss, her legacy as a beacon of hope and resilience will continue to inspire generations to come.
Vocabulary List:
- Humanitarian /hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛrɪən/ (noun): A person who seeks to promote human welfare.
- Malnourishment /ˌmælˈnʌrɪʃmənt/ (noun): A condition resulting from a lack of proper nutrition.
- Vitiligo /ˌvɪtɪˈlaɪɡoʊ/ (noun): A skin condition characterized by patches of skin losing their pigment.
- Discrimination /dɪsˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ (noun): The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.
- Advocate /ˈæd.və.keɪt/ (verb): To publicly support a particular cause or policy.
- Resilience /rɪˈzɪl.jəns/ (noun): The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
How much do you know?
Where was Michaela DePrince born?
At what age did Michaela DePrince move to the United States?
In which ballet company did Michaela DePrince become the youngest principal dancer?
What role did Michaela DePrince serve as for War Child Holland?
Michaela DePrince found solace and inspiration in which art form?
In which country did Michaela DePrince join the Dutch National Ballet?