Maya Angelou tragically passed away on May 28th, 2014 and left an indelible mark on the literary community. Her books, autobiographies and works of poetry have inspired generations of people and her impact will likely last forever. The question of why she died still lingers, though, and though the answer is still largely unknown, there are some possible explanations.
Angelou suffered numerous health issues throughout her life, including heart problems, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes. It seems likely, then, that she passed away due to a serious health complication. Reports suggest that at the time of her death, she was recovering from a surgery she had during the winter of 2013-2014, which may have exacerbated her health issues and lead to her death.
Though it is rarely discussed, Angelou’s lifestyle may have also been a contributing factor to her death. She was known to be a socialite, often attending prestigious events and mingling with other elite guests. She also enjoyed travelling and was on the road for much of her later years. The jet lag, stress, and jet-setting lifestyle could have contributed to her untimely death.
Finally, it is important to remember that Angelou was 86 years old at the time of her death, and age always plays a role in life expectancy. Though she stayed healthy through her lifestyle and was still active up until her death, her age likely carried a significant weight in her passing.
Environmental Factors
Research suggests that some environmental factors may have also contributed to Angelou’s death. For example, Angelou lived in a heavily polluted city, which can lead to myriad health conditions. Air and water pollution, as well as other environmental toxins, can lead to fatal illnesses, such as cancer or cardiac arrest, and Angelou may have succumbed to the environmental hazards of her home city.
Additionally, Angelou’s home was located close to many chemical production plants, which could have made her already one vulnerable body even more so. As many of these chemicals are carcinogenic, Angelou may have been exposed to toxins that had an impact on her health, as well as potentially leading to fatal consequences.
Angelou herself was an advocate for the environment, something that she made clear in her lifetime. As such, it would be interesting to see whether or not her personal beliefs about the environment impacted her physical health in any way.
Though Angelou took every precaution to make sure she was living as healthily as possible, it is possible that some environmental factors may have tipped the scales and played a role in her death.
Dietary Habits
Angelou’s dietary habits may have also been a factor in her death. Though she was known to be a healthy eater and was very cognizant of the food she put in her body, that doesn’t mean she was immune to the side-effects of a poor diet. For example, Angelou consumed large amounts of sugar, as well as unhealthy processed foods, which can lead to diabetes and other health issues.
Moreover, Angelou consumed large amounts of salt and carbohydrates, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The combination of her diet and her already poor health could have been a deadly one and could have prolonged her health issues and ultimately led to her death.
Interestingly, Angelou was known to be a big believer in vitamins and supplements, and she often took them to maintain her health. However, it is possible that taking too many high-potency vitamins or supplements could have had a negative effect on her health, which was already frail due to age and other pre-existing conditions.
Though Angelou was known for eating healthily, her diet may have been a contributing factor in her death. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know for sure, as the exact cause of her death is still unknown.
Psychological Aspects
It is also possible that psychological aspects may have played a role in Angelou’s death. Angelou was a very well-educated person, and she was known to be a passionate advocate for the psychological well-being of individuals. Her work addressed the role of trauma, racism, and oppression in the lives of people and how they can be overcome. All of these topics were incredibly important to Angelou personally, and it may have been that they became too taxing for her to bear.
Angelou was also a survivor of abuse, and her work often addressed the emotional toll that trauma takes on a person. This emotional burden may also be an unseen contributing factor to Angelou’s death, as it is possible that the emotional distress she experienced was too much for her to handle.
Finally, Angelou was famously outspoken about the issue of mental health, and she advocated for support for people suffering from mental illness. It is possible that the psychological strain of dealing with those issues, combined with her advocacy efforts and other struggles, may have lead to her own mental and emotional demise.
Though it cannot be said definitively, it is possible that the psychological toll of Angelou’s life may have been a part of her eventual death.
Medical Negligence
Finally, it is important to consider if medical negligence may have been at play in Angelou’s death. There have been reports that Angelou had numerous medical professionals assisting her with her various health issues over the years, and it is possible that her doctors may not have taken proper care to ensure her safety.
For example, it is possible that the doctors may not have properly monitored Angelou’s health and may not have identified certain issues or prescribed the proper medications. This could have had fatal consequences for Angelou, as her health was already fragile, and her numerous health issues could easily have been overlooked.
Additionally, there is speculation that Angelou may not have received proper post-surgical care. The surgery she underwent during the winter of 2013-2014 may have left her body severely weakened and her doctors may not have done enough to ensure that she was fully recovering. This could have lead to a fatal complication, as her body may not have been strong enough to handle her weakened state.
It is possible, then, that Angelou’s death may have been at least partly the result of medical negligence.
