The mother of the late ballet dancer Michaela DePrince has died a day after the death of her adopted daughter.
Ellen DePrince died on Sept. 11 at age 77 “during a routine procedure,” less than 24 hours after the death of her daughter Michaela, who was 29, according to a statement posted on Facebook by DePrince family spokeswoman Jessica Wolinsky.
Ellen had been battling “a hereditary disease and heart failure” for several years, and according to Wolinski's statement, she had no idea Michaela had died when she went in for surgery.
“There has been a lot of speculation online, so the family wanted to officially tell the truth about a few things,” Wolinsky wrote in the post. “The last few days have been more difficult than most people imagined, as the family is also dealing with the death of Michaela's adoptive mother, Ellen DePrince.”
,[Michaela’s] Mother Ellen died during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery on September 11. Michaela died before Ellen, and Ellen did not know about Michaela's death at the time of the procedure.
“Incredible as it may seem, the two deaths were not connected at all,” the statement added. “We can only explain this absurdity by the fact that Ellen, who had already lost three children several years earlier, was spared the pain of losing a fourth by the grace of God.”
“What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. To have two family members die within a span of 24 hours is tragic and devastating. We ask for privacy and thank you for directing anyone who shares inaccurate information and speculation to this post,” Volinsky's post further read.
A separate post on Allen's Facebook page announced his death.
“After battling a genetic disease and heart failure for several years, we are saddened to share the news. Ellen DePrince passed away on September 11th at the age of 77,” the post read.
“He is survived by his children Mia, Billie, Jay, Mariel, Amy and his two sons, Eric and Adam. The family thanks you for your privacy during this difficult time.”
On her Facebook page, Allen described herself as “a former teacher, an author, a songwriter and a mother of 11 children.” She also revealed she has written a book, “Cry Bloody Murder,” which she said is about hemophilia and HIV, and co-authored another book, “Taking Flight.”
The Post has contacted Volinsky for further comment.
Michaela grew up as an orphan in Sierra Leone before being adopted by Ellen and brought to her home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she joined Ellen's 11 other children (nine of whom were adopted). Soon after the adoption, Ellen enrolled Michaela in a dance class.
“There was a lot of love immediately,” Michaela told Glamour in 2015. “I had never experienced anything like that before.”
Michaela was internationally renowned for her work, having been a ballerina at the Dutch National Ballet and a principal soloist at the Boston Ballet until 2021. She starred in the 2011 documentary “First Position” and also appeared in the 2021 film “Coppelia.” She also performed on “Dancing with the Stars” during AT&T's 2012 Spotlight performance and in Beyoncé's “Lemonade” film.
Beyoncé remembered DePrince in a post on her website. “Rest in peace Michaela Mabinty DePrince. Your courageous journey and beautiful dancing as one of the world's finest ballerinas will remain with us forever,” Beyoncé wrote.
Michaela's death was confirmed via a post on her Instagram on Friday.
A statement released by “Team MDP” said, “With great pain in our hearts, we mourn the passing of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond.”
,[Michaela’s] A life defined by grace, purpose and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter what the obstacles, beauty and greatness can emerge from even the darkest places.”
“Though his time with us was too short, his talent and legacy will continue to shine for generations to come in the hearts of all who have been touched by his story,” the statement said. “Love and prayers go out to his chosen family, friends and all those who loved him.”
The cause of Michaela's death is not known.