10 Fascinating Facts About Maya Angelou’s Personal Life

10 Fascinating Facts About Maya Angelou’s Personal Life

Maya Angelou is one of the most iconic figures of American literature. Her writing covers politics, race relations, and deeply personal experiences. Here are ten fascinating facts about her personal life that you may not know.

1. Derived Her Name from “Maya”

Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson, but she used the name “Maya Angelou” professionally. She adopted the name “Maya” from the nickname that her older brother Bailey gave her when they were children.

2. Worked as a Calypso Dancer

Before she was a writer and poet, Angelou worked as a dancer. She went on a tour with a production of “Porgy and Bess” and then started to dance in San Francisco, where she became a Calypso dancer. She performed under the stage name “Maya Angelou.”

3. Fluent in Different Languages

Angelou was known for her ability to speak six different languages fluently. This skill was due to her extensive travels around the world, where she learned new languages and cultures.

4. Worked for Malcolm X

Angelou became close friends with Malcolm X in the early 1960s. She worked as his associate and helped to organize his Organization of Afro-American Unity. Malcolm X’s assassination in 1965 had a profound impact on Angelou.

5. Survived a Childhood Sexual Assault

Angelou experienced a traumatic childhood sexual assault at the age of eight years. She was so traumatized by the attack that she stopped speaking for five years. Her experiences with sexual violence influenced much of her later writing.

6. Wrote a Script for Oprah’s Show

In 1993, Angelou wrote the landmark “Phenomenal Woman” poem for a segment of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” After the broadcast, the poem became an instant classic and helped to boost Angelou’s popularity.

7. Received a Grammy Award

Angelou won a Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Spoken Word Album for her recording of “On The Pulse of Morning.” She was the first poet to win the award.

8. Worked for Martin Luther King Jr.

Angelou worked tirelessly for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Civil Rights movement. She organized fundraising events and helped to promote the movement’s message. She was a close friend of King’s and was devastated when he was assassinated.

9. Directed Films

Angelou directed several films throughout her career, including “Down in the Delta” and “Georgia, Georgia.” Her work in film helped to expand her reach even further and allowed her to explore new mediums of expression.

10. Delivered an Iconic Inaugural Poem

In 1993, Angelou delivered an iconic poem at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration called “On The Pulse Of Morning.” The poem went on to become a bestseller, solidifying Angelou’s status as one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

Conclusion

Maya Angelou was an influential writer, poet, and activist who lived a fascinating life. Her experiences with trauma, civil rights, and culture inspired much of her writing, which continues to inspire people around the world. Even though she passed away in 2014, her legacy lives on through her work, and she remains a vital and important voice in American literature.