Renowned Ballerina Michaela DePrince and Her Adoptive Mother Die Within 24 Hours of Each Other
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Ballerina Michaela DePrince died on September 10 at the age of 29 due to an unconfirmed cause.
Adding to the tragedy, her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, died the next day during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery.
A family spokesperson confirmed the deaths were unrelated.
DePrince, born Mabinty Bangura, was adopted from war-torn Sierra Leone after she lost both of her parents during the county's civil war.
She overcame being called a "devil's child" due to her vitiligo.
Michaela gained fame with the Boston Ballet and appeared in Beyoncé's 'Lemonade' video.
The family spokesperson said Elaine DePrince was not aware that Michaela had passed away.