"Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose Pays Heartbreaking Tribute to Mother, 57, After Cancer Battle"

This revision maintains key details while streamlining phrasing for clarity and sensitivity.

Ariana DeBose’s Mother Passes Away at 57 After Cancer Battle: Oscar Winner Pays Tribute
By Eve Buckland, US Showbusiness Deputy Editor | Updated: 21:54 BST, 19 August 2025

[Image: Ariana DeBose and her mother Gina smiling together. Caption: "Ariana DeBose shared a close bond with her mother Gina, who died at 57 after a three-year cancer battle."]

Ariana DeBose announced the heartbreaking loss of her mother, Gina Michelle DeBose, who passed away on August 17 at age 57 following complications from stage 3 ovarian cancer. The West Side Story star, 34, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, celebrating her mother’s resilience and unwavering support.

“My gorgeous, hilarious, outspoken, warrior queen mother fought this insidious disease for three years,” DeBose wrote alongside touching photos of their time together. “She was my favorite person, my biggest fan, and toughest critic. It’s always been the two of us.”

Gina, a dedicated eighth-grade social studies teacher, devoted nearly 30 years to educating young people. Ariana praised her mother’s passion for empowering students and fostering creativity: “She believed in hard work, compassion, and empathy. Her classroom was a place of joy and advocacy for the underdog.”

[Image: Ariana holding her Oscar in 2022 with Gina by her side. Caption: "DeBose dedicated her 2022 Best Supporting Actress Oscar to Gina, calling the award ‘as much hers as mine.’"]

The actress highlighted their unbreakable bond, recalling Gina’s presence at every major milestone. During her emotional 2022 Oscar acceptance speech for West Side Story, Ariana tearfully thanked her mother, who attended the ceremony. “Mama, I love you with my whole heart. This is as much yours as it is mine,” she said at the time.

Gina’s vibrant personality extended beyond teaching. She loved painting, card games, and snuggling with her cats. Ariana fondly remembered her mother’s starstruck reaction to meeting director Steven Spielberg on the West Side Story set: “Watching Gina become speechless was amazing.”

[Image: Gina laughing on a film set. Caption: "Gina (center) visited Ariana on the West Side Story set, where she met director Steven Spielberg."]

In her tribute, Ariana reflected on their journey through “lean times and green times,” crediting her mother’s sacrifices for her success. “I wouldn’t be here without her. My greatest achievement is making her proud,” she wrote.

Fans and colleagues flooded social media with condolences, honoring Gina’s legacy as an educator and devoted parent. Ariana concluded her message with a poignant farewell: “Travel amongst the seas, the winds, and the angels, Mommy. I love you.”

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Article condensed to approximately 400 words. Images and captions are suggested placements based on original content.