Renowned poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou has passed away at age 86.
Renowned poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou has passed away at age 86.
Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis and in the 1960s served as the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She also worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcom X. Among her achievements, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 and the Lincoln Medal in 2008.
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Poet and author Maya Angelou died at age 86, CBS News has confirmed; details to follow
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 28, 2014Oprah Winfrey has voiced her admiration for the author over the years. During an interview with Angelou for O magazine, Oprah said, "No one lives like Maya. This is a woman who, in addition to her acclaimed books, has written screenplays and poems, befriended Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., worked for civil rights, acted on Broadway, been nominated for a Tony and a Pulitzer and won three Grammys. To everything life has offered her, she has said yes--with soul and heart."
Stars are sharing quotes and condolences on Instagram and Twitter following news of Angelou's death.
Beyonce Instagrammed: "Rest in peace phenomenal woman."
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou.
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) May 28, 2014