The ballet world and the family of celebrated ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince are still in shock following her passing, and a heartbreaking development has surfaced.

Just under 24 hours after Michaela’s death, her mother, Elaine DePrince, also passed away, with loved ones labeling it a tragic coincidence that had nothing to do with each other.

On Friday, the DePrince family confirmed Michaela’s unexpected death, which occurred on Tuesday. Over the weekend, they revealed that Elaine had died “during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery” on Wednesday.

“The past few days have been more challenging than anyone can imagine since the family has been coping with the passing of Michaela’s adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince,” said family spokesperson Jess Volinski on Saturday.

Elaine DePrince was unaware of her daughter’s death “during her procedure”, and the two events are “completely separate,” Volinski explained.

“The only way we find meaning in this senseless tragedy is to believe that Elaine, who had already endured the loss of three children many years ago, was spared the additional heartache of losing a fourth,” Volinski added. “What the family is facing now is truly unimaginably painful. Losing two family members within a single day is tragic and heartbreaking.”

‘An unforgettable role model,’ say the DePrince family

Michaela Mabinty DePrince felt a strong calling to ballet as a child. She recounted to Glamour in 2015 that a magazine featuring a ballerina en pointe landed on her while she was outside her orphanage in Sierra Leone.

This cover was the first item she presented to her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, who enrolled her in dance classes right after they settled in New Jersey. Michaela grew up with 11 siblings, nine of whom were also adopted, according to Glamour.

As a teenager, Michaela DePrince earned a scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York City, a pre-professional ballet training program under the American Ballet Theatre, as reported by Glamour. After that, her journey flourished.

She performed with numerous esteemed ballet companies, including Joburg Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet, and most recently, the Boston Ballet, YSL News reported. Michaela DePrince went on to “achieve her dreams and more,” as her family stated.

Beyond her remarkable ballet career, Michaela became a prominent figure globally. She was featured in the 2011 documentary “First Position,” appeared as a guest performer on “Dancing with the Stars,” starred in Beyoncé’s 2016 “Freedom” music video, and was the subject of a biopic directed by Madonna. She also authored two books: “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina” and “Ballerina Dreams.”

According to a statement from the DePrince family, she “touched countless lives around the globe, including ours.” “She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who encountered her or learned about her story.”

“From her beginnings in a war-affected Africa to stages and screens worldwide, she realized her dreams and so much more,” they expressed. “Her dedication and influence in the dance community, particularly in encouraging young Black dancers to follow their aspirations, were immense. We will cherish her memory and her radiant smile forever, and we know many will miss her as well.”

Tributes flood in after ballerina Michaela DePrince’s unexpected passing

Many dancers, dance companies, and individuals who were fortunate enough to meet the ballet luminary or were inspired by her work have taken to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute.

Although the funeral and burial for Michaela DePrince will be private, her family has requested that in lieu of flowers, the public consider donating to War Child, an organization she closely collaborated with, as reported by YSL News.

“This cause was incredibly important to her, and your contributions will directly support other children who have faced wartime experiences,” as stated in a post by the DePrince family on Friday.

Several online tributes to Michaela DePrince have been collected in the aftermath of her passing.