Michaela and Elaine DePrince
By Faber Editor, 16 September 2024
We were deeply saddened to learn about the recent passing of Michaela DePrince and her mother, Elaine DePrince.
Both women were extraordinary in their own ways and showed great courage and generosity in the face of adversity. Faber are the proud publishers of Michaela’s memoir, Hope in a Ballet Shoe (and Ballerina Dreams, a version of the memoir for younger readers), both co-written by Michaela and Elaine.
Michaela, an orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, went on to become a world-renowned ballet dancer. Alongside her incredible ballet career – through her writing, her media appearances and her charity work – she found time to advocate and campaign for black dancers, having found herself marginalised by American ballet institutions. She was also an ambassador for War Child.
Associate Publisher, Alice Swan, says:
‘We were lucky enough to meet Michaela on a few occasions when she was dancing in the UK and she was one of those people who could light up the room with her energy, warmth and smile.’
Elaine was a graduate of Rutgers University, an author and a former special education teacher. In 1999, after raising five sons, she took a leave of absence from law school to adopt two girls from war-torn West Africa. She says the need was so great that she ended up with six West African daughters.
Alice says:
‘Elaine’s generous spirit was immediately apparent. She, like Michaela, was such a pleasure to work with, always expressing her thoughts with gratitude and kindness.’
Our thoughts are with Elaine and Michaela’s family at this very difficult time.
The family have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to War Child.