Maya Angelou died on May 28, 2014 at the age of 86. Her death occurred in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, after a period of declining health. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, she became an influential poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. The timing and location of her death were confirmed by family statements and major news reports at the time. Below is a concise factual summary of key biographical dates and milestones related to her life and death.
Key Dates in Maya Angelou’s Life and Death
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| April 4, 1928 | Birth as Marguerite Annie Johnson | Establishes baseline for age calculations |
| May 28, 2014 | Date of death | Used to determine age at death |
| Age 86 | Reported age at death | Matches the difference between birth and death dates |
| 1969 | Publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings | Landmark memoir establishing her literary reputation |
| 1993 | Inaugural poem “On the Pulse of Morning” for Bill Clinton | Brought her work to a national and international audience |
Birth and Early Life Context
Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, Maya Angelou spent her early years across the American South. Her childhood experiences shaped the themes of resilience and identity in her later writing. By the time she published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 1969, she had already lived through significant personal and historical challenges that informed her voice.
Career Highlights and Public Recognition
Angelou was a multitalented figure known as a poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, actress, and civil rights activist. Her literary work often centered on personal dignity, racial justice, and the complexity of the African American experience. Recognition came through numerous honorary degrees, awards, and national appointments, including her recitation of poetry at a presidential inauguration in 1993.
Circumstances and Location of Death
Maya Angelou died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she had been residing in her later years. Her family issued statements confirming the death and noting her age as 86. The reported cause was related to natural decline with multiple health challenges preceding her passing, consistent with her advanced years.
Calculating Age at Death
Using April 4, 1928 as the birth date and May 28, 2014 as the death date, she lived 86 years and 54 days. This aligns with widespread reports that she was 86 at the time of death. Because both dates are well documented, this calculation remains stable and verifiable over time.
Age Calculation Breakdown
- Years: 2014 minus 1928 equals 86 full years
- Months and days: From April 4 to May 28 adds 54 additional days
- Reported age: 86, reflecting completed years at time of death
Legacy and Continuing Influence
Maya Angelou’s influence extends well beyond the date of her death. Her writings continue to be studied, quoted, and adapted in education and public life. Her role in the civil rights movement and her voice on dignity and equality remain relevant, ensuring that her contributions endure in cultural and historical memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How old was Maya Angelou when she died? She was 86 years old at the time of her death on May 28, 2014.
- When and where did she die? She died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 28, 2014.
- Is her age at death consistently reported? Yes, multiple authoritative sources report her age as 86, based on her birth and death dates.
- Does her age affect the interpretation of her work? Her lived experience across eight sixties informs the depth and perspective in her writing, but her work remains relevant regardless of age at death.