Renowned Poet and Author Maya Angelou Dies at 86

Maya Angelou, the renowned poet, author, and civil rights activist, has died, officials in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, told NBC News. The author of the celebrated autobiography 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' was 86 years old.

Her death comes less than a week after Angelou announced she would not attend the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon, where she was to be honored, citing 'health reasons.' Last month, she also canceled an event in Fayetteville, Arkansas, because she was recovering from an 'unexpected ailment' that left her hospitalized.

Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, under the name Marguerite Annie Johnson. She grew up to become a singer, dancer, actress, writer and Hollywood's first female black director.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. -Elizabeth Chuck

First published May 28 2014, 6:33 AM

Entities 0 Name: Angelou Count: 2 1 Name: MLB Count: 1 2 Name: Elizabeth Chuck First Count: 1 3 Name: Marguerite Annie Johnson Count: 1 4 Name: Maya Angelou Count: 1 5 Name: North Carolina Count: 1 6 Name: Winston-Salem Count: 1 7 Name: Arkansas Count: 1 8 Name: St. Louis Count: 1 9 Name: Missouri Count: 1 10 Name: Fayetteville Count: 1 11 Name: Hollywood Count: 1 Related Keywords 0 Name: angelou Score: 30 1 Name: marguerite Score: 10 2 Name: winston-salem Score: 10 3 Name: 2014 Score: 9 4 Name: luncheon Score: 8 5 Name: 1928 Score: 8 6 Name: poet Score: 8 7 Name: autobiography Score: 7 8 Name: beacon Score: 7 9 Name: fayetteville Score: 7 Authors Media Images 0