Ariana DeBose/Instagram Ariana DeBose's mother Gina died on Aug. 17 from "complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer," the actress announced on Aug. 19 A middle school teacher, Gina raised her daughter in North Carolina In a heartfelt Instagram post full of photos of her mother, DeBose paid tribute to her "favorite person" Ariana DeBoseis mourning the loss of her mother Gina, who died at age 57. "At 10:28 am on August 17th my gorgeous, hilarious, outspoken, warrior queen Mother - Gina Michelle DeBose - passed away due to complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer," the Oscar winner revealed ina post on InstagramTuesday, Aug. 19. "I couldn't be more proud of her and how she fought this insidious disease over the past 3 years. She was 57 years young," added DeBose, 34. Calling Gina "my favorite person, my biggest fan and toughest critic," theHamiltonalum continued: "She was my date to every important moment in my professional and personal life - and I wouldn't have it any other way. It had always been the two of us for as long as I can remember. Through lean times, and there were many of those & green times." Gina was a public school teacher who raised her daughter in North Carolina. DeBose affectionately referred to her motheras "Miss Gina"in a 2022 conversation with PEOPLE about her first of threeTony Awardshosting gigs, which she celebrated alongside her partner, costume designerSue Makkoo, and Gina. TheSummer: The Donna Summer MusicalTony nomineebrought Gina as her dateto the 2018 ceremony when she was nominated. "She fought like hell to give me a good life, a good education and every opportunity in the world. I wouldn't be where I am without her," continued DeBose's Instagram tribute, which included a slide of organizations to donate to, includingThe National Ovarian Cancer SocietyandTeal Diva. Ariana DeBose/Instagram Referring to herAcademy Award winfor 2021'sWest Side Storyremake, DeBose said, "I meant it when I said my Oscar 'is just as much hers as it is mine.' " Gina was "beloved and incredibly respected by her colleagues and students alike" as well as "many people in her community," theLove Hurtsstar continued. "For the record: my greatest and most proud achievement will always be to have made her proud." She concluded with, "I love you mommy. Now travel amongst the seas, the winds and the angels as I know you always loved to do." Ariana DeBose/Instagram After appearing at the 2025 Tony Awards, including in a 10th anniversarytribute toHamilton, DeBose recentlybookeda return to the stage in the lead role in a new Classic Stage Company production of Joseph Stein and Stephen Schwartz's 1976 musicalThe Baker's Wife. Among her upcoming screen projects are the Shakespeare-inspiredLear Rexand the page-to-screen adaptation ofScarpettacostarring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis. Read the original article onPeople