Author and poet Maya Angelou died Wednesday morning. She was 86. She rose from poverty, segregation and violence to become a force on stage, screen and in print. Wake Forest University anounnced Angelou's death in a news release Wednesday. Angelou was a renowned poet, author and civil rights activist. Her death came shortly after she announded she would not attend the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon.
Angelou gained huge success for her first book, her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," making her one of the first African-American women to write a best-seller. In 1998, she directed the film "Down in the Delta," which was about a drug-wrecked woman who returns to the home of her ancestors in the Mississippi Delta.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton chose Angelou to read at his first inauguration. She wrote and read an original composition, "On the Pulse of Morning," which became a big seller. Angelou published more than 10 volumes of poetry, composed songs for musicals and films and wrote or co-wrote the scripts for more than a dozen plays, films and television programs. The literary world will not be the same, and celebrities have taken to social media to express their condolences: See their tweets below.
We're saddened by the passing of our friend Maya Angelou. Thank you for all you've done, and for all the hugs. pic.twitter.com/kmLCN59Uef
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) May 28, 2014Wow.. Maya Angelou... Thank you for helping raise me with your words. RIP #MayaAngelou
— Monica Raymund (@monicaraymund) May 28, 2014Today the world lost one of it's greatest gifts. I'm sending love to the friends and family of Maya Angelou.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 28, 2014"I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.” -- M. Angelou #RIPMayaAngelou
— George Lopez (@georgelopez) May 28, 2014But still, like air, she rises. Yes Ma'am. Rise. Rise. Rise. #MayaAngelou
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) May 28, 2014Your words have become a part of me. “If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”-@DrMayaAngelou #RIP
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) May 28, 2014Maya Angelou is my hero. She gave me courage to love myself and others. Her life was a gift to so many.
— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) May 28, 2014Maya Angelou, a true American hero. A woman of uncommon eloquence & strength. The stars are less lonesome now, the caged bird is free.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) May 28, 2014Thank you, Maya, for your power, your politics, your poetry. We need you more than ever. Rest in peace.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 28, 2014"I've learned that you shouldn't go thru life w/ a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." -Maya Angelou
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 28, 2014Maya Angelou, Lyrical Witness of the Jim Crow South, Dies at 86, via @nytimes. Farewell, Dr Maya Angelou http://t.co/vDlYNSSssl
— Amy Tan (@AmyTan) May 28, 2014Dr. Maya Angelou we salute you… pic.twitter.com/acwbUJy9Gn
— White House Af-Am Ed (@AfAmEducation) May 28, 2014"If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." Maya Angelou - who was utterly amazing.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 28, 2014My heart and soul hurt today because of the passing of a true Genious Maya Angelou. Heaven has another wonderful angel walking its golden st
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 28, 2014Rest with the angels, Maya Angelou. pic.twitter.com/iPNSvui8BL
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 28, 2014RIP to one of the greatest women this world has ever known. Thank you Maya Angelou for all of the gifts and knowledge you gave us...
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) May 28, 2014"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou.
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) May 28, 2014RIP Maya Angelou. A great woman.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 28, 2014RIP Maya Angelou. RT @DrMayaAngelou: Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.
— Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) May 28, 2014Maya Angelou has passed away. She was a great light in the world. I feel honored to live in a world she influenced and touched so deeply.
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) May 28, 2014RIP lovely lady “@DrMayaAngelou: The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
— Holly Marie Combs (@H_Combs) May 28, 2014Her words, poetry and stories were so stirring. And her activism was inspiring. Sad to read about the passing of Maya Angelou. RIP.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 28, 2014You challenged the dark silence,Your words empowered & inspired, the determined human spirit could defeat all foes "Still I Rise" #RIPMAYA
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) May 28, 2014The world was a better place because Dr. Maya Angelou was in it. #RIPMaya http://t.co/O4F6460gS3 pic.twitter.com/j2nyPsRNqw"
— Queen Latifah Show (@qlshow) May 28, 2014
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