Author & Poet
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' at age 41 and published 'Gather Together in My Name' at 45.
Maya Angelou was born in 1928 and lived to age 86. Anyone born before 1928 is older than Maya. Anyone over 86 is older than Maya ever was.
Born
April 4, 1928
St. Louis, Missouri
World pop: ~2B
Died
May 28, 2014
World pop: ~7.3B
Maya's age at death
86
Your age
20
Are you older than Maya Angelou?
No — Maya Angelou was born in 1928. You were born in 2006, making you 78 years younger. Maya lived to age 86. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Maya was when she died.
At your age (20), Maya had already became the first Black female streetcar conductor (at age 16), but hadn't yet published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' (at age 41).
Maya's Life Timeline
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She experienced a tumultuous childhood, facing racism and trauma, which profoundly influenced her later work. After a series of challenging life events, including living in various cities and enduring a period of silence, she found her voice through writing and performance, becoming a prominent figure in the civil rights movement.
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Angelou's major career achievements began with her autobiographical work, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' published in 1969 when she was 41 years old. This groundbreaking book brought her international acclaim and established her as a literary icon. Throughout her career, she published several autobiographies, poetry collections, and essays, and she became a celebrated speaker and performer, advocating for social justice and equality.
Maya Angelou's legacy is marked by her contributions to literature and her role as a civil rights activist. She received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire generations and a lasting impact on American culture and literature.
Became the first Black female streetcar conductor
Maya Angelou was 16 years old when she became the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco. This achievement was significant as it broke racial and gender barriers during a time of widespread discrimination.
Maya Angelou was 16 years old when she became the first Black female streetcar conductor in 1944. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'
Maya Angelou was 41 years old when she published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.' This autobiographical work was pivotal in bringing her acclaim and is credited with transforming the genre of autobiography by addressing issues of race and identity.
Maya Angelou was 41 years old when she published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' in 1969. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Published 'Gather Together in My Name'
Maya Angelou was 45 years old when she published 'Gather Together in My Name,' the second volume of her autobiography series. This book continued to explore her life experiences and the challenges she faced as a young mother.
Maya Angelou was 45 years old when she published 'Gather Together in My Name' in 1973. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas'
Maya Angelou was 47 years old when she published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.' This work further established her as a prominent author and showcased her talents in performance and storytelling.
Maya Angelou was 47 years old when she published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas' in 1975. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Recited 'On the Pulse of Morning' at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton
Maya Angelou was 60 years old when she recited her poem 'On the Pulse of Morning' at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. This historic moment marked her as the first African American woman to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration.
Maya Angelou was 60 years old when she recited 'On the Pulse of Morning' at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1988. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
Maya Angelou was 86 years old when she passed away on May 28, 2014. Her death marked the loss of a significant literary and cultural figure whose work continues to resonate and inspire.
Maya Angelou was 86 years old when she passed away in 2014. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 0 | |
| 1929 | 1 | |
| 1930 | 2 | |
| 1931 | 3 | |
| 1932 | 4 | |
| 1933 | 5 | |
| 1934 | 6 | |
| 1935 | 7 | |
| 1936 | 8 | |
| 1937 | 9 | |
| 1938 | 10 | |
| 1939 | 11 | |
| 1940 | 12 | |
| 1941 | 13 | |
| 1942 | 14 | |
| 1943 | 15 | |
| 1944 | 16 | became the first Black female streetcar conductor |
| 1945 | 17 | |
| 1946 | 18 | |
| 1947 | 19 | |
| 1948 | 20 | |
| 1949 | 21 | |
| 1950 | 22 | |
| 1951 | 23 | |
| 1952 | 24 | |
| 1953 | 25 | |
| 1954 | 26 | |
| 1955 | 27 | |
| 1956 | 28 | |
| 1957 | 29 | |
| 1958 | 30 | |
| 1959 | 31 | |
| 1960 | 32 | |
| 1961 | 33 | |
| 1962 | 34 | |
| 1963 | 35 | |
| 1964 | 36 | |
| 1965 | 37 | |
| 1966 | 38 | |
| 1967 | 39 | |
| 1968 | 40 | |
| 1969 | 41 | published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' |
| 1970 | 42 | |
| 1971 | 43 | |
| 1972 | 44 | |
| 1973 | 45 | published 'Gather Together in My Name' |
| 1974 | 46 | |
| 1975 | 47 | published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas' |
| 1976 | 48 | |
| 1977 | 49 | |
| 1978 | 50 | |
| 1979 | 51 | |
| 1980 | 52 | |
| 1981 | 53 | |
| 1982 | 54 | |
| 1983 | 55 | |
| 1984 | 56 | |
| 1985 | 57 | |
| 1986 | 58 | |
| 1987 | 59 | |
| 1988 | 60 | recited 'On the Pulse of Morning' at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton |
| 1989 | 61 | |
| 1990 | 62 | |
| 1991 | 63 | |
| 1992 | 64 | |
| 1993 | 65 | |
| 1994 | 66 | |
| 1995 | 67 | |
| 1996 | 68 | |
| 1997 | 69 | |
| 1998 | 70 | |
| 1999 | 71 | |
| 2000 | 72 | |
| 2001 | 73 | |
| 2002 | 74 | |
| 2003 | 75 | |
| 2004 | 76 | |
| 2005 | 77 | |
| 2006 | 78 | |
| 2007 | 79 | |
| 2008 | 80 | |
| 2009 | 81 | |
| 2010 | 82 | |
| 2011 | 83 | |
| 2012 | 84 | |
| 2013 | 85 | |
| 2014 | 86 | passed away |
