Maya Angelou was one of the most recognized African-American female writers of the 20th century, and her iconic works have had a profound influence on society. But who was her husband?
Maya Angelou was married twice throughout her lifetime, first to a Greek sailor named Tosh Angelos in 1951. The couple eloped to get married, and Angelos abandoned her shortly after they were married.
Her second marriage lasted much longer and was to a civil rights leader known as Paul Cabandé Fagan of Lincoln University in 1962. The two had a son together, their child Guy Johnson, who was born in 1963. Sadly, the couple separated in 1969 and divorced in 1981.
Fagan was a key figure in the American civil rights movement and he helped secure the right for African American students to attend university. In addition to his groundwork in the civil rights field, he also was a regular contributor of articles to the Los Angeles Tribune, a newspaper that focused on African-American issues.
At the time of his nervous breakdown in 1969, he had already made many notable accomplishments in the civil rights sphere, including helping put together the “Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Rally” in Washington D.C. in 1968 and facilitating the merger of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Paul Cabandé Fagan was an inspiring leader and an affectionate husband for Maya Angelou. He had an outgoing and charismatic personality. His death in 1971 of a heart attack was a devastating blow for Maya Angelou and she wrote several poems in his memory.
Maya Angelou and Paul Cabandé Fagan had a connected relationship, the pair was married for only eight years but the impact he had on her life was one that will never be forgotten.
Tosh Angelos
Maya Angelou’s first husband, Tosh Angelos, was a Greek sailor she eloped with in 1951. Angelos left Angelou shortly after they were married, leaving her without money, her belongings or any support.
Angelos’ abandonment of Maya Angelou has been studied by scholars for decades and it is clear that his leaving was a touchstone for all of her struggles with men and relationships throughout her life. Angelos, who had left his homeland of Greece to sail professionally, remains a mysterious figure. Very few facts are known about Angelos and his brief relationship with Maya Angelou.
Despite his abandonment, Maya Angelou remained proud of her first marriage, citing it as an early lifetime accomplishment. Angelou’s refusal to be broken and her ability to move forward despite her challenging circumstances is just one of the many incredible qualities that set her apart and made her an iconic figure.
While it can never be said that Angelos had a positive influence on Angelou, his abrupt departure did force her to become independent and responsible for her own life. He undoubtedly left a lasting mark in her life, one that propelled her towards her later success and recognition.
Maya Angelou always had a deep appreciation for the need for independence and autonomy. Her first marriage, however abrupt and disappointing, was the first time Angelou experienced the feeling of being on her own and having to face the world without the support of anyone else.
Civil Rights Movement
Paul Cabandé Fagan was a key leader in the American civil rights movement who helped secure the right for African American students to attend university. Fagan was also an author, writing articles for the Los Angeles Tribune, a newspaper that focussed on African-American issues.
Fagan was the first African American to be appointed to the board of trustees of Lincoln University and he worked tirelessly to promote equality and challenge the American justice system. He was deeply devoted to the cause and during his lifetime, Fagan made many memorable contributions to the civil rights struggle.
His work was especially influential in California, where he worked as an assistant district attorney for Los Angeles and was a co-founder of the Civil Rights Advocacy Group of Los Angeles. He was recognised as a leader throughout many parts of the country and was given awards for his civil service and legal achievements.
Apart from his political efforts, Fagan was an inspiring husband to Angelou. The two had a son together, Guy Johnson, who was born in 1963. Sadly, the couple separated in 1969 and divorced in 1981 due to Fagan’s nervous breakdown in 1969.
Fagan remains a central figure in Maya Angelou’s life and his commitment to the civil rights movement was an inspiration to her. In addition, Fagan’s devotion to his family is remarkable and his memory is forever remembered in the hearts of those who knew him.
Iconic Works
Maya Angelou’s iconic works have had a profound influence on society and have transcended generations. Her works became symbols of hope, strength, resiliency, and femininity for individuals around the world.
In addition to her books and poems, she also produced a number of television and film adaptations of her work, including a screen adaptation of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and the 1994 feature film Down in the Delta.
Throughout her lifetime, Maya Angelou was recognised with a number of awards and honorary degrees. In 2010, she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civil honour. In 2011, she received the Lincoln Medal, one of the highest honours given to individuals who have brought honour to the state of Illinois.
Angelou was also the recipient of the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, which recognizes the contributions of women in the arts. She also received an NAACP Image Award for her contributions to literature, music and television.
Angelou’s works changed the course of history and she continues to have a lasting impact on the world with her words of encouragement and wisdom. Her work serves as a source of comfort for millions of people and her legacy will never be forgotten.
Memorial Services
When Paul Cabandé Fagan passed away in 1971, many memorial services were held in his honour, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Rally in Washington, D.C.
Fagan’s impact was further enhanced when the National Council of Churches named the Paul Cabandé Fagan Memorial Fund in his honour. The fund provides scholarships and loans to African American students and is a testament to Fagan’s ongoing commitment to the education and civil rights of African Americans.
Maya Angelou memorialized Fagan in many of her works and in her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she wrote: “I know that he died because he was too strong for our world, too strong for the deception that passes for love, too strong for our grainy, ignorant, selfishness.”
In addition to his work with the civil rights movement, Fagan was also recognised for his personal contributions. He was a loving father and husband and his family continue to hold him close in their hearts.
Fagan’s death was a tragedy for his family, friends and the entire civil rights movement. His memory lives on though, with memorials, scholarships, articles and books dedicated to him.
Legacy
Maya Angelou’s life was filled with heartache, challenges and triumphs. Her marriages to Tosh Angelos and Paul Cabandé Fagan were both significant in her life, despite their brevity, and left a lasting mark on her.
Angelou’s tenacity, determination and perseverance are a testament to her character and the legacy she left behind. Though both husbands have since passed, their memories remain in the hearts and minds of those who were close to them.
Tosh Angelos and Cabandé Fagan are both remembered for their contributions to the civil rights movement and their part in Maya Angelou’s life. Angelos’ role in Angelou’s life is one that is shrouded in mystery, but it undoubtedly left an impact.
Fagan’s influence, however, can be seen in all aspects of Angelou’s life. He was more than a husband to her, he was a partner, mentor and powerful advocate for civil rights.
Angelou’s relationship with both Angelos and Fagan had a profound influence on her life and she is remembered for her incredible courage, her indomitable spirit and her ongoing commitments to justice and civil rights.
Remembering Love
Though Maya Angelou was married twice, it is clear that both of these important relationships were based on love. Angelou’s commitment to her husbands was evident in her life and in her works.
In addition to her love for her husbands, Angelou also had a deep love and respect for her son Guy Johnson. After her divorce, Johnson moved to California with his father and Angelou supported him in his pursuit of success.
Angelou’s love was not reserved for her husbands and son, however; she had a profound love for her family, friends and for humanity as a whole. Angelou’s dedication to justice and her ability to love unselfishly have had a lasting impact on generations of people around the world.
Maya Angelou was a remarkable woman who changed the course of history with her words and was an inspiring leader. Her love was unconditional and her dedication to her family, friends and her cause was unwavering.
Maya Angelou was a woman of incredible strength and courage and her legacy will never be forgotten. Her story is one of love, resilience and hope and it serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of the human spirit.
