Maya Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson, was born on June 8th, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents, Guy and Vivian Baxter Johnson, raised him alongside his ten-year-older brother, Larry. At the time, Maya Angelou was only seventeen years old, so they decided to have the baby adopted in order to give him a better life. Angelou was, however, able to keep Johnson as part of her life despite the adoption, as she continued to raise him until he was five years old. After she left St. Louis, Johnson stayed with Maya’s brother, family friends and sometimes even with his adoptive family.
Although Maya Angelou did not have the means to take care of him at the time of his birth, she did follow his life and sent him items, cards and money in order to provide for her son, who was part of her life, although from a distance. She also visited him when she found herself close to St. Louis, and cultivated a strong relationship until her death in 2014. Guy Johnson and Maya Angelou not only maintained a bond as mother and son; they were also close friends.
Guy Johnson graduated from an Ivy League School in 1972 and then went on to become an attorney. He later pursued a career in publishing in New York, where he worked as an editor and then later founded a publishing agency in 1995. He and his mother released a book together in 2006, called Gather Together in My Name, which was very successful and brought them even closer together.
Despite the time they spent apart while Guy Johnson was growing up, they both shared a strong bond as mother and son, and remained close until her death in 2014. Guy described her as a teacher and a mother figure, as she gave him advice, supported him and served as an inspiration for him. He stated that his mother was an example to him, and that she taught him to cherish the friendships in his life.
It is clear that Maya Angelou had a strong relationship with her son, and that, although she was too young to take care of him after his birth, she was definitely a caring and loving mother to him. Although their path was not conventional, their bond remained strong throughout Angelou’s lifetime.
Angelou’s bond with her son
Due to the adoption process, Maya Angelou was not able to raise Guy Johnson herself, yet they were still able to forge a strong bond as mother and son. Guy Johnson himself stated that his mother was an example to him, and that she taught him to cherish the friendships in his life. Moreover, Angelou sent him items, cards, and money to financially support him, and when she found herself close to St. Louis, she visited him and showed her continuous love and affection toward him. The bond between them was undeniable, as it grew stronger over the years.
Guy Johnson’s career
Guy Johnson pursued higher education, graduating from an Ivy League school in 1972, and then went on to become an attorney. Hoping to occupy a profession in publishing, he shifted to New York and worked as an editor for a publishing agency. Later on, in 1995, he established his very own publishing company and in 2006 published a book along with his mother, called Gather Together in My Name. Guy Johnson achieved success in publishing, and undoubtedly his mother was proud of him.
Maya Angelou’s legacy
Maya Angelou’s legacy was powerful and influential, especially when it came to her relationship with her son. Even though he was not raised by her, her legacy lives on in his success, as she taught Guy to strive for greatness and to find fulfillment in life. Throughout the years, Guy found in his mother a role model, as Angelou was an example for him and for many other people around the world.
Guy Johnson’s role in Angelou’s life
Guy Johnson was an important part of his mother’s life, as he made her proud and supported her through his success in academia and in his career. Despite the long-distance relationship his mother maintained while he was growing up, they both shared a strong bond and fond memories until her passing in 2014. Guy served as an inspiration to her, and was an example of her immense love and care even before he was born.
