Misty Copeland: A Life in Motion — Net Worth, Personal Life & Legacy

The defining date: birth and background

Misty Danielle Copeland was born on September 10, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri — a date that marks the beginning of a journey few could have predicted.

Raised in a financially unstable, single-mother household, she spent her early years moving frequently — sometimes living in motels — along with five siblings. Her mother, Sylvia DelaCerna, had a background in dance but worked mostly in sales to support the family.

At a time when ballet seemed out of reach, Copeland found refuge and purpose in movement — a transformation that would change ballet forever.

From a late start to historic breakthrough

Copeland did not begin formal ballet training until she was thirteen — a relatively late start in the world of classical dance. Yet, within just two years she was already showing promise, earning a full scholarship to attend the summer intensives at top institutions.

By 2001, she joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Over the next decade and a half, through discipline, talent and sheer determination, she rose through the ranks. On June 30, 2015, Copeland was promoted to principal dancer — becoming the first African-American woman to reach that status in ABT's then 75-year history. 

That milestone was more than personal — it cracked the glass ceiling in classical ballet and expanded possibilities for generations of dancers of color. 

Beyond the stage — artistry, influence, and ventures

Copeland’s impact extends well beyond choreography and pirouettes. She has authored books — including a memoir, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, and a children’s book Firebird — using narrative to inspire a broader audience. 

Through fashion and entrepreneurship, she’s also reshaped cultural expectations. She launched a dancewear line called M by Misty, and later another line emphasizing inclusivity. 

With high-profile endorsements — from global brands to media appearances — Copeland became more than a dancer: she became a cultural icon, a symbol of possibility, resilience and representation.

The business of brilliance — an estimate of her net worth

Estimating the fortune of someone like Copeland — who balances art, brand deals, authorship, and public influence — is inherently imperfect. One widely cited valuation puts her net worth at approximately US $1.5 million. 

That said, other outlets argue for a much higher figure. Some estimates — considering her diversified income streams — suggest a net worth around US $8 million as of 2025. 

Regardless of exact numbers, what stands out is how Copeland turned ballet — often seen as elitist and inaccessible — into a platform for entrepreneurship, representation and broad cultural impact.

Life offstage: love, family, home

Copeland’s personal life reflects the same grounded determination she brought to ballet. She is married to attorney Olu Evans; the couple wed on July 31, 2016. 

Together they have a child — a son born in 2022 — and the family resides on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

For many, Copeland’s story — from childhood instability to global stardom — defines more than personal achievement. It stands as testament to resilience, ambition, and the power of representation.

Curtain call — the final bow and continuing legacy

After a 25-year journey with ABT, Copeland announced her retirement and delivered her final performance in October 2025 at New York’s Lincoln Center. 

But retirement doesn’t mean retreat. As she steps off the stage, her legacy lives on — through her writing, fashion work, advocacy, and the countless dancers who now see themselves as possible prima ballerinas because of her.

Misty Copeland’s birthday — September 10 — marks not just a birth, but the start of a transformative story that continues to shape the world of ballet, art, and culture.