Maya Angelou was a renowned American author, poet, civil rights activist, and actress who passed away on May 28th, 2014 at age 86. Angelou’s cause of death, according to her doctor Pride, was heart failure. Family members issued a statement saying she “passed quietly in her home before 8am”
Angelou had been in poor health for some time prior to her death, but continued to write and perform, despite her condition. In a CNN interview, her son, Guy B Johnson, said: “Words are inadequate to describe her life and what it has meant to us and to all the people touched by her spirit of love and advocacy.”
Angelou had a successful career that spanned multiple industries and genres. In addition to writing books, she was an actress in film and television, a director of plays, a singer, a civil rights activist, and was even asked by Bill Clinton to write a poem for his 1993 inauguration.
Her writing was often described as prophetic and powerful. Angelou wrote essays on civil rights, religion, and politics, as well as poems exploring her own experiences. Some of her most famous works include her novels I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Still I Rise, as well as her collections of poetry such as Rainbow In The Clouds and Phenomenal Woman.
Her legacy is still palpable today, more than six years after her death. Her books continue to be relevant in classrooms and universities across the US, and Angelou’s impact on the world of literature and activism will remain for years to come.
Prior Health and Life Prior To Death
Before her death, Maya Angelou had a successful career that spanned multiple genres and industries. In addition to writing books, she was an actress in film and television, a director of plays, a singer, and a civil rights activist. By the time of her death, she had written seven autobiographies and several collections of poetry, as well as compiled her own compilations of music. Angelou was well respected in the literary world, receiving many awards and having her books adapted into films and theatrical productions.
Angelou had been in poor health for some time prior to her death, though she continued to write and perform, despite her condition. Among her last projects was the book she wrote for the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an event that personally affected Angelou as she was in New York that day.
Angelou also spoke out often on civil rights and feminism. Her activism inspired a generation of young women to take a stance on social issues and inspired young people from various backgrounds to be brave in the face of obstacles.
Angelou was also a mentor to a number of people, teaching some of the world’s most famous authors, many of whom praised her for her insight and support in their crafting their own works.
Though her health was poor leading up to her death, Angelou’s impact in society and her reasons to remain hopeful were evident in her last public words.
Impact of Her Legacy Beyond Her Death
Since her death, Angelou’s impact on culture, writing and civil rights activism has only grown more deeply etched into our societal fabric. Her books continue to be relevant in school curriculum, university courses and in books clubs, and Angelou’s influence on the world of literature and feminism is still very much alive.
Her most famous poem, “Phenomenal Woman”, has become an anthem for women all over the world who have struggled to find their voice and strength in society. The legacy of her work continues to belie definitions of beauty, breaking down gender inequalities and giving strength to voices all over the world.
Angelou’s death, despite being a tragedy, has served to bring attention to civil rights activism, and continued to inspire a generation of young people to stand up for their rights and the rights of the oppressed. The final chapter of Angelou’s incredible life illustrates the fragility, but also the resilience and power of the human spirit.
In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama, in recognition of her inspirational life and work. Her work has been recognized and documented in the Smithsonian, the archives at the Library of Congress and Harvard, and the U.S Postal Service has honored her with a commemorative stamp.
Family and Friends’ Reflection After Her Death
Following her death, family members, fans of her work and everyone else who had been touched by Angelou’s life mourned her passing. In a statement issued by her son, Guy B Johnson, affectionately called “Guy”, he paid tribute to his mother: “My mother’s mission in life was to encourage, to love and to entertain, to witness and to experience… She was a special soul, we will miss her and I thank everyone for their prayers and kind words.”
Friends and colleagues also paid tribute to Angelou’s life with kind words. Her contemporaries and those influenced by her, such as Oprah Winfrey, wrote to express their sorrow, quoting lines from Angelou’s work and remembering her generosity, fearlessness and courage.
The outpouring of grief after Angelou’s death demonstrated how this multi-talented woman had inspired so many people with her life and words. Despite her physical absence, her iconic legacy continues to inspire us to tirelessly seek justice, beauty, truth and above all else, love.
Tribute, Memorials and Honors After Her Death
Since Maya Angelou’s death, her work and legacy has been commemorated in many ways. Her books continue to be read by students in the classroom and in universities, and the Smithsonian compiled a tribute to her work and activism.
Angelou has also been honored with numerous memorials and awards. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, given to recognize a person’s exceptional meritorious service and contributions to the security of the US. She was also honored with a commemorative stamp from the United States Postal Service, and with a bronze bust in her hometown of Stamps, Arkansas.
Angelou’s death brings an end to a life that had a profound, lasting effect on generations of people worldwide. Even in her passing, Angelou’s words and poise remain, celebrated and cherished throughout time.
Continued Celebration of Her Life in Today’s Cultural Movement
Today, Angelou’s work still continues to shape culture and play a role in contemporary movements. As many people fight for civil rights, Angelou’s poetry, which dealt heavily with the themes of oppression and oppression’s legacy, is once again being held up as an example of hope. Her multidimensional voice has lent itself to many causes, from the fight against racism and sexism, to the promotion of love and acceptance in all its forms.
Angelou’s iconic poem, “Still I Rise” has become an anthem for today’s civil rights campaigns, and her lines in Phenomenal Woman have become essential for feminism in today’s world. Her work continues to inspire activists, artists and writers to continue her work, and to work towards a world that values justice, equality and love.
Angelou’s death marks the losses of a beloved figure in literature and activism, but it does not mark the end of her ideals. Even six years after her passing, her work still continues to shape culture and educated generations about civil rights, oppression, love and beauty.
