Date of Birth: April 4, 1928
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: May 28, 2014
Biography
Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist renowned for her powerful and poignant contributions to literature and society. Born as Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, she became a voice for those who often went unheard. Her most famous work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1969, is an autobiographical account that candidly discusses the hardships and traumas she experienced, including racism and sexual abuse. Throughout her life, Angelou wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, as well as plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and worked alongside both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Maya Angelou’s literary prowess and activism earned her numerous awards and over 50 honorary degrees. She passed away on May 28, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, resilience, and inspiration.
5 Interesting Facts about Maya Angelou
1. Maya Angelou was the first Black female cable car conductor in San Francisco.
2. She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 poetry collection, “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie.”
3. Angelou recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost in 1961.
4. She was fluent in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and West African Fanti.
5. Maya Angelou received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 from President Barack Obama.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Maya Angelou
1. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
2. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
3. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
4. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
5. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Maya Angelou’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Maya Angelou had one son named Guy Johnson, born in 1944. Guy Johnson followed in his mother’s footsteps to become a writer and poet.
Relevant Links
1. [Maya Angelou Biography – Academy of American Poets](https://poets.org/poet/maya-angelou
2. [Maya Angelou – Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou
3. [Maya Angelou – The Official Website](https://www.mayaangelou.com/
4. [Maya Angelou on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029687/
