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' the year she turned 41, and published 'Gather Together in My Name' the year she turned 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.
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri and died on May 28, 2014 at the age of 86. Maya would be 98 years old today.
Maya Angelou would be 98 years old in 2026 and would have turned 98 on April 4, 2026. Maya Angelou's age in every year ↓
Born
April 4, 1928
Died
May 28, 2014
World pop. at birth
~2B
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 become the first Black female streetcar conductor (the year she turned 16), but hadn't yet published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' (the year she turned 41).
Are you older than them?
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Lived to 84
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Lived to 45
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Lived to 53
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Lived to 80
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Lived to 94
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Lived to 63
Jimmy Carter
Lived to 100
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Lived to 39
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Lived to 87
Queen Elizabeth II
Lived to 96
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Lived to 36
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Age 100
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Lived to 90
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Lived to 94
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Lived to 87
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Lived to 95
Maya Angelou
Lived to 86
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Lived to 39
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Lived to 58
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Lived to 39
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Lived to 63
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Lived to 15
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Age 96
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Lived to 82
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Age 96
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Lived to 24
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Lived to 79
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Lived to 34
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Age 92
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Lived to 88
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Age 89
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Age 89
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Age 88
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Age 88
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Maya's age vs family
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.
Read more
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 turned 16 in 1944, the year she became the first Black female streetcar conductor. 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 turned 41 in 1969, the year she published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'. 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 turned 45 in 1973, the year she published 'Gather Together in My Name'. 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 turned 47 in 1975, the year she published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas'. 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 turned 60 in 1988, the year she recited 'On the Pulse of Morning' at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. 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 turned 86 in 2014, the year she passed away. Are you older than Maya was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by year
How old was Maya Angelou in each year?
- 2026
- Maya Angelou would be 98 years old in 2026 and would have turned 98 on April 4, 2026.
- 1969
- Maya Angelou was 40 at the start of 1969 and turned 41 on April 4, 1969. That year, she published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'.
- 1973
- Maya Angelou was 44 at the start of 1973 and turned 45 on April 4, 1973. That year, she published 'Gather Together in My Name'.
- 1975
- Maya Angelou was 46 at the start of 1975 and turned 47 on April 4, 1975. That year, she published 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas'.
- 2014
- Maya Angelou was 86 years old when she died on May 28, 2014. That year, she passed away.
Maya Angelou's age in every year
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- 201485 → 86 years old
