In an impoverished orphanage in Sierra Leone, she longed to dance ballet. After being adopted by American parents, her improbable dream came true.

An orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, who was adopted into an American family before becoming a world-class ballerina, Michaela Mabinty DePrince has...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fl AP: Ballet dancer Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who came to the United States from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone and...

From war orphan in Sierra Leone to international ballet star – the trailblazing Sierra Leonean-American ballet dancer has died aged 29

DePrince, a trailblazer and inspiration to many in the ballet world, has died at 29. Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, DePrince was sent to an...

DePrince, a trailblazer and inspiration to many in the ballet world, has died at 29. Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, DePrince was sent to an...

A war orphan, DePrince moved to the US and ended up performing with Beyoncé.

Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a trailblazer and inspiration to many in the ballet world, has died at 29. DePrince went from being an orphan in war-torn...

Michaela DePrince, a distinguished ballerina who triumphed over severe childhood adversities in Sierra Leone to achieve prominence as a second-soloist...

Michaela DePrince, a distinguished ballerina who triumphed over severe childhood adversities in Sierra Leone to achieve prominence as a second-soloist...