Misty Copeland made history in July 2016 when she became the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, a milestone that shattered a 75-year racial barrier in classical ballet. This profile traces her journey from a late start in dance at age 13 through her retirement in 2025, drawing on verified biographical records, her official website, and reputable news coverage to separate fact from lore.
Last checked: 2026-06-13
Full name: Misty Danielle Copeland ·
Born: September 10, 1982, Kansas City, Missouri ·
Occupation: Ballet dancer, author, producer ·
Company: American Ballet Theatre (Principal Dancer) ·
Notable achievement: First African-American female principal dancer at ABT
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-13.
Sources reviewed: official biography (MistyCopeland.com), Encyclopaedia Britannica, Biography.com, Harvard Gazette, TIME for Kids, People magazine, Instagram posts, Woman’s World, and educational materials.
We did not conduct a personal interview with Copeland, perform primary research beyond public sources, or analyze her personal financial records.
Snapshot: Misty Copeland
Historic promotion
- First African American female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, promoted June 2015 (MistyCopeland.com)
Late start
- Began formal ballet training at age 13 through a Boys & Girls Club class in Southern California (Harvard Gazette)
Retirement
- Final performance with ABT on October 22, 2025, after more than two decades with the company (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Foundation
- Launched the Misty Copeland Foundation with its BE BOLD program in 2022 to increase diversity in ballet (MistyCopeland.com)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Misty Danielle Copeland |
| Born | September 10, 1982, Kansas City, Missouri |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer, author, producer |
| Company | American Ballet Theatre (Principal Dancer) |
| Notable achievement | First African American female principal dancer at ABT |
| Years as principal dancer | 10+ years (appointed 2015) |
| Net worth (estimated) | Multi-million (exact not disclosed) |
| Instagram followers | 2 million+ |
| Foundation established | 2021 |
Why is Misty Copeland so famous?
Copeland’s fame rests on a single, undeniable achievement: in June 2015, she was promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, becoming the first African American woman to hold that rank in the company’s 75-year history (Encyclopaedia Britannica). That promotion made national headlines and transformed her into a symbol of racial progress in an art form long dominated by white dancers.
Her path to that moment was anything but conventional. Copeland did not take her first ballet class until age 13, at a Boys & Girls Club in Southern California, after being spotted on her middle-school drill team (Harvard Gazette). Most professional ballerinas begin training between ages 3 and 8, making her late start a defining narrative of her career.
First African American principal dancer at ABT
Before Copeland’s promotion, ABT had never had a Black female principal dancer. She joined the company’s Studio Company in September 2000 and the main corps de ballet in April 2001 (MistyCopeland.com). She became a soloist in August 2007, the second African American female soloist at ABT and the first in about two decades. The principal promotion eight years later broke the final barrier.
Breakthrough performance in The Firebird
Copeland’s performance in The Firebird in 2012 is widely cited as the role that cemented her as a principal-caliber dancer. Around that same period, she was dealing with multiple stress fractures in her left tibia, a health challenge she has discussed openly (TIME for Kids). The juxtaposition of a physically demanding lead role and serious injury added to her reputation for resilience.
Cultural impact and advocacy
Copeland’s influence extends beyond the stage. She has been named one of Time‘s 100 Most Influential People and appeared in a 2014 Under Armour campaign that challenged stereotypes about ballerinas’ bodies (Biography via YouTube). She has also authored multiple books, including the memoir Life in Motion and the children’s picture book Bunheads (MistyCopeland.com).
What happened to Misty Copeland in 2015?
2015 was the pivotal year of Copeland’s career. In June, after starring in leading roles such as Firebird and Swan Lake, she was promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The promotion was announced by ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie and made headlines worldwide.
Promotion to principal dancer
The promotion was not a surprise to those following her trajectory, but its historic weight was unmistakable. Copeland had been a soloist since 2007 and had performed leading roles that demonstrated her technical and artistic readiness. The announcement came during ABT’s season at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
Book release and media attention
That same year, Copeland published her memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, which became a New York Times bestseller (MistyCopeland.com). The book detailed her late start, her struggles with body image, and the racism she encountered in the ballet world. It also described her early life in a single-parent household with five siblings, including periods of financial instability when the family lived in a motel (Biography.com).
Did Misty Copeland have hip replacement surgery?
Yes. Following her retirement from ABT in 2025, Copeland underwent hip replacement surgery, which she discussed publicly on Instagram as part of a broader message about recovery and long-term dancer health (Misty Copeland via Instagram). The surgery occurred before the 2025 Oscars, where she performed.
Hip replacement before 2025 Oscars
Copeland’s hip replacement was a significant orthopedic intervention for a dancer who had spent decades subjecting her body to the extreme physical demands of ballet. She has also spoken about undergoing IVF treatment prior to the surgery, adding another layer to her post-career health journey. 미스티 코플랜드의 경력에 대한 자세한 내용은 미스티 코플랜드의 경력에서 확인할 수 있습니다.
IVF journey prior to surgery
In interviews, Copeland has been candid about her fertility treatments and the decision to prioritize family planning alongside her career. She has not disclosed whether she has children, but she has discussed the emotional and physical toll of IVF.
“Recently, I started to notice these changes in my body… acne, brain fog, not sleeping through the night.”
— Misty Copeland, speaking about perimenopause in 2024 (People)
In 2024, Copeland spoke publicly about entering perimenopause in her early 40s, partnering with wellness company Thorne to encourage women to prepare for and talk openly about the transition (People).
Timeline: Key milestones in Misty Copeland’s career
- September 10, 1982: Born in Kansas City, Missouri (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Circa 1995 (age 13): Begins formal ballet training at a Boys & Girls Club in Southern California (Harvard Gazette)
- 1998 (age 15): Wins first place in the Music Center Spotlight Awards; attends San Francisco Ballet School summer intensive on full scholarship (MistyCopeland.com)
- September 2000: Joins ABT’s Studio Company as National Coca-Cola Scholar (MistyCopeland.com)
- April 2001: Joins ABT main company corps de ballet (MistyCopeland.com)
- August 2007: Promoted to ABT soloist, second African American female soloist in company history (MistyCopeland.com)
- 2012: Undergoes surgery to repair fractured left leg; performs in Firebird (TIME for Kids)
- June 2015: Promoted to principal dancer, first African American woman in ABT history (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- July 31, 2016: Marries attorney Olu Evans in Laguna Beach, California (Biography.com)
- 2021: Receives NAACP Spingarn Medal (MistyCopeland.com)
- 2022: Launches Misty Copeland Foundation with BE BOLD program (MistyCopeland.com)
- October 22, 2025: Final performance with ABT; retirement announced (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Alternatives: Other notable ballerinas to know
While Copeland’s story is singular, several other dancers have also broken barriers in classical ballet. Here are three figures whose careers offer useful context.
| Dancer | Key achievement | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Lauren Anderson | First African American principal dancer at Houston Ballet (1990) | Houston Ballet |
| Michaela DePrince | Sierra Leonean-born ballerina; soloist at Dutch National Ballet; subject of documentary First Position | Dutch National Ballet |
| Misty Copeland | First African American female principal dancer at ABT (2015) | American Ballet Theatre |
Our pick: Why Misty Copeland stands apart
Copeland’s combination of a late start, a historic promotion, a bestselling memoir, and a post-career pivot to health advocacy makes her a uniquely documented and influential figure. Her foundation’s BE BOLD program, launched in 2022, directly addresses the pipeline problem in ballet training for underrepresented communities (MistyCopeland.com). For readers interested in the intersection of athletic excellence, racial equity, and public health, Copeland’s story offers the most complete case study.
Related reading: Dancing with the Stars Voting ? Women Who Run With the Wolves
For a detailed look at Misty Copelands career including her hip replacement surgery, check out Toronto Edition’s comprehensive profile.
Frequently asked questions about Misty Copeland
Why did Misty Copeland stop dancing?
Copeland retired from performing with American Ballet Theatre in 2025 after more than two decades with the company. Her final performance was on October 22, 2025 (Encyclopaedia Britannica). She has since undergone hip replacement surgery and shifted her focus to wellness advocacy and her foundation.
Does Misty Copeland have children?
Copeland has not publicly confirmed having children. She has spoken about undergoing IVF treatment, but has not announced a pregnancy or birth.
What movies has Misty Copeland been in?
Copeland appeared in Prince’s 2009 music video for “Crimson and Clover” and has been featured in documentaries including A Ballerina’s Tale (2015). She has not starred in narrative feature films.
Who are Misty Copeland’s parents?
Copeland was raised primarily by her mother, Sylvia DelaCerna, in a single-parent household. Her father, Doug Copeland, was not consistently present during her childhood (Biography.com).
How tall is Misty Copeland?
Copeland is approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall, which is shorter than the average ballerina height of around 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches.
What is Misty Copeland’s net worth?
Copeland’s net worth is estimated in the multi-million dollar range, though she has not publicly disclosed exact figures. Her income sources include ABT salary, book royalties, brand partnerships (Under Armour, Thorne), and speaking engagements.
Sources cited
- MistyCopeland.com — Official biography, career timeline, foundation details
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Birth date, ABT promotion, retirement date
- Biography.com — Early life, family background, marriage date
- Harvard Gazette — Late start, racism in ballet, first-person reflections
- TIME for Kids — Injury timeline, “Misty Effect” terminology
- People — Perimenopause discussion, Thorne partnership
- Misty Copeland via Instagram — Hip replacement surgery announcement
- Woman’s World — Post-retirement wellness habits
- Biography (YouTube) — Under Armour campaign, Time 100, Prince music video
- Town of Chelmsford educational biography — Stress fractures, 2012 leg surgery
- Energetiks Blog — Body image and binge eating discussion