Ariana DeBose’s Mother Passes Away at 57: “My Gorgeous, Hilarious, Outspoken, Warrior Queen”

Ariana DeBose is heartbroken after losing her mother, Gina Michelle DeBose, who passed away on August 17 at age 57 following a three-year battle with Stage 3 ovarian cancer.

In a moving Instagram message posted August 19, DeBose wrote: “At 10:28 am on August 17, my beloved, vivacious, fearless warrior queen—my mother, Gina Michelle DeBose—left us after bravely fighting Stage 3 ovarian cancer for the past three years. I am endlessly proud of her strength. She was 57 years young.” View the post

She continued: “My mom was my closest confidant, my most enthusiastic supporter and my toughest critic. She was my date to every milestone—professional or personal—and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Through lean times and green times alike, she fought fiercely to give me a good life, a top-notch education and every opportunity I could imagine. My Oscar is just as much hers as it is mine.”

Reflecting on her 2022 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, DeBose recalled, “I’m going to wrap this up by talking about my family—my mother, who is here tonight. Mama, I love you with my whole heart; this is as much yours as it is mine.”

Earlier, DeBose earned a Tony nomination in 2018 for her portrayal of “Disco Donna” in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. She then made history by hosting the Tony Awards three consecutive years (2022–2024), the first person of color to do so since the ceremony’s inception in 1947.

In her tribute, the 34-year-old actor shared that her mother dedicated nearly 30 years to public education—most recently teaching eighth-grade social studies—and thrived in the classroom, winning the admiration of both students and colleagues with her creativity and compassion.

DeBose concluded: “My greatest achievement will always be making you proud. I love you, Mommy. May you now journey across the seas, ride the winds and soar with the angels, just as you always dreamed.”

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