Maya Angelou, one of the most famous American poets of the 20th century, has died. She was 86-years-old.
Angelou’s death was confirmed by her literary agent, Helen Brann, notes the New York Times. Although an immediate cause of death was not announced, Brann said that Angelou had been suffering from health issues recently and had heart problems.
She died in her hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Just last week, Angelou was set to receive another award at the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon in Fayetteville, Arkansas. However, she cancelled her appearance due to “health reasons,” reports NBC News. She was suffering from an “unexpected ailment” and was hospitalized.
Angelou was born in St. Louis on April 4, 1928 and is best known for her memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. She also had many other talents and became the first African American woman to direct a film in Hollywood. In 1998, she directed the film Down in the Delta.
One of her best known moments came in 1993, when she read her poem “On the Pulse of the Morning” for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
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