The family of late ballet dancer Michaela DePrince, who died on Sept. 10 at the age of 29, has disclosed that they are also grieving the death of the ballerina’s adoptive mother, Elaine. “There has been a great deal of speculation online so the family would like to officially set the record straight about a few things,” the statement reads.
“The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaela’s adoptive mother Elaine DePrince.” Elaine DePrince died on Sept. 11 while undergoing a routine procedure in advance of a surgical operation, the family said.
At the time of her death, Elaine DePrince was not aware of her daughter’s death, according to the statement. “What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating,” the statement continues.
“Including ours,” they said. “She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story.” After her father died in the war and her mother died from fever and malnutrition, Michaela DePrince was sent to live in an orphanage, where she experienced bullying due to her vitiligo—a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes white or depigmented spots on the skin.
“At a very young age, Michaela caught in the corner of her eye a magazine at the orphanage, featuring a poised ballerina en pointe. This was the mom.