Ballet Star, Her Mother Die A Day Apart As Cherry Hill Family Mourns

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A world-renowned ballerina raised in Cherry Hill died last week. One day later, so did her adoptive mother.

Michaela Mabinty DePrince was born in Sierra Leone, becoming a young orphan during the country's civil war. She was adopted by a Cherry Hill family before becoming a professional ballerina and performing on some of the world's biggest stages.

DePrince, 29, died Sept 10. No cause of death has been released.

One day later, her adoptive mother died "during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery," a family spokesperson said. Elaine DePrince was 77.

Elaine was unaware of Michaela's death, according to family spokesperson Jess Volinski.

"As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated," Volinski wrote on social media. "The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child."

Michaela DePrince was the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, before dancing with Dutch National Ballet in the Netherlands. She returned to the United States to dance for Boston Ballet.

DePrince also appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" at age 17 and performed in Beyoncé's "Lemonade" music video album.

Michaela was a "dedicated humanitarian," advocating for children impacted by conflict and violence, according to a post on her social-media pages commemorating her life.

Volinski asked the public to not spread misinformation regarding the family and the recent deaths.

"What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful," Volinski said. "Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating."