Dr. Maya Angelou, sadly and unexpectedly, passed away in the morning of May 28, 2014. It was reported that Dr. Angelou had a heart attack in her home which resulted in her untimely death. The details of the incident remain undisclosed however, as stated by her publicist, anyone in the presence of Dr. Angelou that morning can attest to the fact that she showed no signs of ill-health and was in excellent physical condition prior to her passing.
The beloved author & poet had become an inspiration to millions before her death, with the New York Times referring to her as a “Rebel, mentor, and mother figure” that had a powerful influence on the “black liberation movement and American culture”. Her legacy will continue to live on as her words have touched millions of lives and her books have won many awards.
Dr. Angelou was living a full and happy life prior to her passing, having earned numerous awards and international recognition for her works, including 3 Grammy Awards and the President’s Medal of Freedom, she received in 2011 from President Barack Obama.
Her most notable works, the novels I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie, explored the African-American experience and her works have been hailed for their gripping and vivid accounts of intersecting identities. Her collection of autobiographies, including Heart of a Woman and A Song Flung Up to Heaven, also detail her career and personal experiences.
Dr. Maya Angelou has contributed profoundly to modern literature, art, and culture. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed, not only by those directly impacted by her life and works, but also by millions around the world whose lives have been touched by her words and thought-provoking, yet calming, presence.
Early Years
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1928, Angelou was raised by her grandmother in a rural community in Stamps, Arkansas. She became a precocious reader at an early age and by the time she was 14 years old, she had had already lived in five different cities. Her mother was a devote Christian and strict disciplinarian, who, out of a sense of religious obligation, would move their family frequently. Through the many transitions, Angelou managed to find stability in her deep interest in literature.
Angelou’s beginnings were far from easy — due to her difficult childhood which included experiences of poverty, neglect, and physical abuse, she was determined to find a pathway to success as she grew into her teenage years.
At age 16, Angelou dropped out of school and joined the Harlem Writers Guild, which fed her passion for writing and literature. Sympathetic adults, some of whom she met at the guild, supported her desire to pursue a higher education and encouraged her to apply to university.
In 1950, Angelou married a Greek sailor, Tosh Angelos; however, their marriage only lasted a short time. Nevertheless, she adopted her former husband’s last name, Angelou, which she would later use to distinguish herself as an inspirational writer and artist.
Gains Acclaim
Angelou developed her skills in writing and literature by embarking on a wide array of pursuits. She became a magazine editor in Cairo, joined the civil rights movement, was a backdrop dancer for legendary performers like Alvin Ailey, recorded her first album in 1957 and wrote what would become her most widely known book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in 1969.
This novel, which recounted Angelou’s childhood and adolescence, had an immediate impact on the world and soon catapulted Angelou to fame. It was highly acclaimed by social and literary influencers, becoming the first book by an African-American woman to make the bestseller list of the nation’s two premier bookselling outlets, Publishers Weekly and The New York Times. It was nominated for a National Book Award, was adapted for television and film and has been translated into numerous languages.
Angelou went on to author a total of seven autobiographies, the most well-known being Gather Together in My Name (1974) and A Song Flung up to Heaven (2002). She also wrote numerous essays, plays and film scripts, as well as a plethora of other works in both poetry and prose.
Angelou was well-known during her lifetime and had garnered respect as a civil rights activist, educator, filmmaker and lyricist. In addition to amassing a large audience of readers and fans around the world, Angelou also had close ties with many prominent figures, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
A Voice of Inspiration
Dr. Maya Angelou’s writing explored themes of Black womanhood, resilience, racial injustice, faith and love, with her vivid prose inspiring millions across the globe. She made it her mission in life to bring about healing and positive change in the world and left behind an impressive body of work, a legacy that continues to reverberate to this day.
In her stirring public addresses, Angelou imparted moving, empowering words of wisdom to audiences of all ages. Her achievements were lauded throughout her lifetime, earning her countless honors and awards from universities around the globe, including a number of honorary degrees and recognitions from universities and personal invitations from presidents such as Bill Clinton, who appointed her to his Presidential Advisory Board in the mid-90s.
Angelou also served on numerous foundations and boards and had, by the time of her death, become a celebrated and much-loved figure. While the world mourned the death of this remarkable woman, Angelou left behind an extensive legacy in literature, social activism and inspirational legacy which remain as evidence of her singular worldview.
Legacy Lives On
Dr. Angelou’s works have been praised globally and her life story has inspired generations of readers. She gained numerous awards and honors, and such acknowledgement made a lasting impact on the lives of millions, who felt empowered and motivated to bring positive change in the world.
In addition to her career achievements, Dr. Angelou also had a powerful influence on literature, with her inspiring and groundbreaking works and her passionate public addresses, that were filled with strong messages of love, resilience, and hope, encouraging people from all walks of life to be their best and cherish every moment of their lives. To this day, Angelou’s words continue to offer a great source of strength, comfort, and hope to many all over the world.
Personal Struggles and Achievements
Despite her successful career, Dr. Angelou also had to cope with personal trauma throughout her life. The lack of a stable family life during her childhood created tension and distress in Angelou’s adult life, and at times she became alienated from her loved ones. Years of heartache, however, only brought her closer to her writing and to the people who understood and supported her.
In spite of the hardships she encountered along the way, Angelou kept creating and remained passionate about her work until the very end. She knew no limits, whether they were personal or professional, and her love for literature and her desire to share her wisdom with the world urged her to create a powerful body of work.
In 2002, Angelou was recognized for her lifetime of service to humanity when she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This was the highest honor bestowed upon a U.S. civilian and was given in recognition of Angelou’s contribution to humanity.
Dr. Angelou was praised for her incomparable influence on literature, her inspirational presence, and ultimately, for the impact she had on countless lives. She received numerous awards and accolades and was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame. As a result, Angelou became an iconic figure of her time.
A Final Farewell
On the morning of May 28, 2014, millions of people around the world were shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden death of Dr. Maya Angelou, a beloved poet, writer, and artist as well as a leading voice of the civil rights movements.
Tributes and messages of grief poured in from all corners of the world, with many commemorating Angelou’s life and celebrating her contribution to literature and the world. While the news of her passing may have come as a surprise, Angelou’s life was nothing short of extraordinary and her impact will continue to be felt for many years to come.
