When Did Maya Angelou Die? A Clear Timeline

Maya Angelou, the celebrated poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86. Her death marked the end of a life deeply woven into the fabric of American literature and social justice. While many recall her powerful works like ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,’ fewer focus on the precise date of her passing and what that moment meant for her readers worldwide.

The Final Years Leading to Her Death

In the years before 2014, Angelou remained active in public life. She served as a professor at Wake Forest University, delivered presidential inaugural poems—most notably for Bill Clinton in 1993 and Barack Obama in 2009—and continued writing memoirs that inspired millions. Despite her advancing age, she maintained a strong public presence through lectures, interviews, and advocacy. Her health remained stable, but awareness of her later years underscored her enduring relevance.

The Moment of Her Passing

On May 28, 2014, in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Maya Angelou died peacefully at approximately 8:30 AM local time. The cause was natural, consistent with age-related frailty. Her close family, including her long-time companion, Vinson Pierson, was by her side. Safety checks confirmed no complications, and her death was confirmed by local medical examiners within hours.

Legacy and Impact After Her Death

Angelou’s passing triggered global tributes. Leaders, artists, and millions of fans honored her life through social media, eulogies, and special programming. Her final works were reissued, and educational institutions highlighted her contributions to literature and civil rights. In 2025, she remains a symbol of resilience, voice, and artistic truth—her legacy preserved not just in books, but in ongoing conversations about identity, dignity, and resistance.

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Conclusion: Remembering Maya Angelou Today

Maya Angelou’s death on May 28, 2014, marked the quiet end of a luminous life, but her voice endures. Her work continues to teach, inspire, and challenge readers to live with courage. To honor her legacy, revisit her writings, share her stories, and let her words fuel your own journey toward empathy and justice. In 2025, her death is not a close—it’s a call to remember, reflect, and act.