Maya Angelou is one of the most influential women to walk this earth. Besides being known as an author, poet, and civil rights activist, she was also an actor, singer, songwriter, dancer, playwright, historian, director, and teacher. Here are some interesting facts about Maya Angelou that you may have not have known.
Birth date:Â April 4, 1928
Death date:Â May 28, 2014
Birth place:Â St. Louis, Missouri
Her real name was not Maya Angelou. Her real name is Marguerite Ann Johnson. It was her brother, Bailey, who nicknamed her “Maya.” Angelou was a family name.
She has one child. She gave birth to child named Guy when she was 16 years old.
She made Tupac Shakur cry. Â Maya Angelou met the late Shakur on set, made him cry, and didn’t even know who he was.
She did not speak for five years during her childhood because she believed her words brought on death.
When she was just 8, Angelou was sexually abused and raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Four days after his release from jail, he was found dead. There were rumors that Angelou’s uncles sought revenge and killed him. Following the incident, Angelou became mute for almost five years.  In her first autobiography, she wrote, “I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone.”
She was fluent in 6 other languages besides English, including French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and the West African language Fanti.
She didn’t celebrate her birthday after 1968.  King died on her birthday in 1968, and she didn’t celebrate her birthday in the years that followed.
She has received more than 50 honorary degrees
She partnered with Malcolm X to fight for black people.
She is the first African-American female member of the Directors Guild of America.
She has won three Grammy awards.
She was a huge fan of Country Music. Angelou was an avid country music lover. She listened to Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Montgomery Gentry and Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland.
She loved wearing Uggs.
You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace  #HCXOÂ