Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson, was an internationally acclaimed author, poet, producer and civil rights activist who left an enduring mark on the world. Knowing how old she was when she died is important to understanding the scope of her life’s accomplishments. In April of 2014, at the age of 86, Angelou passed away in her Winston-Salem, North Carolina home due to health complications.
At the tender age of 3, Angelou was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, where she spent her formative years. Here, she was exposed to a segregated society and developed an early interest in theatre and dance. At the age of 8, she moved in with her mother, who was living and working in San Francisco, CA. This move marked a significant shift in Angelou’s life and served as the catalyst for her first solo adventures.
When she turned 16, Angelou was a single mother and was left to support herself and her son. To make ends meet, she worked multiple jobs and often had to seek alternate sources of income, such as becoming a pimp, drugs distributor, and shipping clerk. While her lifestyle gave her a degree of financial independence, it was hardly sustainable. Eventually, she realized that finding long term employment would be the only way to ensure a stable future for her and her son.
At 21, Angelou began to work in television as a talk show host and eventually as a playwright in Los Angeles. A few years later, she got married and soon after moved with her family to New York City. There, she wrote her first of several autobiographies, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, which was an immediate success. She went on to write several more autobiographies and published poetry.
When Angelou was 81, she wrote her last published work, ‘Mom & Me & Mom’ and planned to retire to the family home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Three years later, at the age of 86, Angelou passed away due to health complications. Angelou’s death was mourned across the world and her life’s accomplishments were celebrated. She was an inspiration to millions of Americans and international citizens alike.
Early Years
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, to parents Vivian Baxter and Bailey Johnson. At the tender age of three, Angelou was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, where she spent her formative years. It is during this time that she first encountered the segregation of the South and began developing an appreciation for theatre and dance.
Things began to shift in Angelou’s life at the age of eight when her mother, working and living in San Francisco, asked her to come and live with her. She quickly adapted to the bustling city and became an avid reader, often visiting the local library to explore any new books they had acquired. In her teen years, she moved back to Arkansas with her grandmother. Here she attended high school and wrote her first novel, an adventure novel called ‘A Phenomenal Woman’.
Maya Angelou also began to explore music as a student at Mission High School, forming a singing group with which she performed for local talent shows. It was also here that she nurtured her budding interest in writing and poetry, often reciting her own works at local talent shows and competitions.
At 16, Angelou was a single mother to her son Guy, who she had with her high school sweetheart. With the sole responsibility of providing for her child, Angelou began to work multiple jobs and got creative in finding alternate sources of income.
In a bid to make sure she could afford to provide for her son, Angelou eventually decided to get her diploma and pursue a career. By the time she was 21, she had become a poet, dancer and actor in Los Angeles.
Personal Life
In her mid twenties, Angelou moved back to San Francisco. Here she got married to a Greek sailor named Tosh Angelos and settled into married life. By the time she was 27, she was pregnant with their child, who sadly died after being delivered prematurely. This event changed Angelou’s life drastically and inspired her to write a number of her most popular works, such as her classic autobiographical novel ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’.
Soon after, Angelou and her husband moved to New York City and then to Egypt, where they both taught at the American University in Cairo. Despite their marriage ending in a short time, Angelou stayed in Africa and moved to Ghana, where she was offered a position in the Ghanaian Ministry of Education.
During her years in Africa, Angelou published her first collection of poetry and wrote a number of film and television scripts in Hollywood. Soon after, she returned to the United States and took on teaching and lecturing roles at a number of universities across America.
At 40, Angelou purchased a house in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and began dedicating more of her life to writing. She continued to write and publish a number of autobiographies and poetry collections, becoming an international sensation in the process.
Angelou eventually moved back to Winston-Salem to be closer to her family and, at 81, wrote her last published work ‘Mom & Me & Mom’. Three years later, at the age of 86, Angelou passed away due to health complications.
Career
Angelou’s distinguished career spanned over multiple decades and encompassed the many jobs she held during her time in the United States and Africa. She wrote her first novel, ‘A Phenomenal Woman’, when she was 15, and spent time in the United States as a teacher, radio show host, and waitress, before she moved abroad and got involved in film and television scripts.
After her time in Africa and returning to the United States, Angelou dedicated her life to writing and teaching. She published several autobiographies, books of poetry and essays, produced plays and served as a professor at a number of universities. She was the first black woman to direct a feature-length film, opened a film production business in Hollywood and won a number of awards for her writing and activism efforts, including three Grammys for spoken word albums.
Over the course of her life, Angelou held as many as 37 honorary degrees, was awarded dozens of recognitions from cities, states, countries and organizations and became one of the most celebrated authors and activists of her era. She also became an advocate for black women’s rights and was an inspiration to millions worldwide.
Legacy
Angelou’s impact on the cultural and literary landscape of the United States and beyond cannot be understated. During her life, she wrote and published several autobiographies and books of poetry, became an advocate and inspiration for black women’s rights, and received dozens of awards and distinctions. After her passing, her legacy was celebrated across the world, as her works and life’s accomplishments continue to inspire and influence people worldwide.
Moreover, Angelou is credited with making the world a better place for African Americans and other people of color and is remembered for raising awareness to the injustices people of color face daily. Angelou had a special ability to capture the spirit of her people, often using her works to bring attention to their struggles.
In 2015, an acronym was created in Angelou’s honor, “MARC”, which stands for “mastery, authenticity, resilience, and courage” – values which Angelou embodied and was known for inspiring in others. She was an inspiration to those willing to fight for justice, equality and freedom and truly demonstrated the power of the human spirit.
Memorials
Maya Angelou was celebrated in death as she was in life. After her passing, memorial services were held throughout the United States in her honor. Her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri dedicated a playground to her memory. The city of Winston-Salem renamed its main stage at the Duke Energy Center to the Maya Angelou Stage in recognition of her extensive work and lasting impact.
In 2018, the America’s Intellectual and Cultural History Project inaugurated the Dr. Maya Angelou Trailblazer award in her honor. This prestigious award is awarded annually to an individual whose work furthers the ideals of social justice, community and healing.
In addition, a notable memorial to Angelou can be found in her hometown of Stamps, Arkansas, where a statue of the author stands. The sculpture, crafted in bronze, is adorned with a quote from her most famous work, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’.
Furthermore, a mural of Angelou can be found in her home of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This mural was commissioned by the local art organization, ViBE Creative District, and stands as a tribute to the late author and all she represented.
Impact
Maya Angelou’s life and works had a long-lasting impact on the world – from her words to her actions, she inspired and impacted millions of people worldwide. King spoke about her influence and the life she continued to lead even into her 80s, To quote King: “Maya Angelou reminds us that every day we have the opportunity to be greater, bolder, and more loving than we were the day before”.
Today, Angelou’s works are used in classrooms around the world to teach the power of self-expression and to foster inclusion and equality among students. Her words have served as a source of inspiration and strength for many, especially those struggling with self-acceptance and identity. Angelou’s works continue to inspire young and old alike, and her message of perseverance, courage and love will remain in the hearts of generations to come.
Angelou was a champion of human rights, a powerful advocate for the marginalized, and a powerful voice for women’s rights. She left an indelible mark on the world, and her life and works will continue to inspire for generations to come.
