--- description: Notables from J.K. Rowling to Mary J. Blige commemorate the passing of the celebrated poet at 86 title: Maya Angelou Tributes from Twitter RIP Poetry image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt105b8a7cca6f6cb7/6986910755a8590645a80fa5/maya-angelou-1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Living](/tag/time-section-living/) ## Living Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Celebrities Pay Tribute to Maya Angelou on Twitter by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 28, 2014 2:27 PM CUT  Maya Angelou in 2008. Maya Angelou in 2008.Tim Sloan—AFP/Getty Images by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 28, 2014 2:27 PM CUT Renowned American author and poet Maya Angelou died today at the age of 86 in Winston-Salem, N.C. Best known for her poetry and autobiographical works like _I Know Why the Caged Bird_ _Sings_, she’s been an inspiring source of wisdom for many generations. Thousands have already taken to social media to mourn the icon, sharing their favorite quotes, lessons (using the [#MayaTaughtMe](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mayataughtme&src=typd "undefined") hashtag) and even links to her last poetic tweet: Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God. — Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) [May 23, 2014](https://twitter.com/DrMayaAngelou/status/469911477500272642?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") (Read Lev Grossman’s [obituary here](http://time.com/123036/maya-angelou-a-hymn-to-human-endurance/ "undefined")) "If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." Maya Angelou – who was utterly amazing. — J.K. Rowling (@jk\_rowling) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/jk%5Frowling/status/471650440334282752?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") We're saddened by the passing of our friend Maya Angelou. Thank you for all you've done, and for all the hugs. [pic.twitter.com/kmLCN59Uef](http://t.co/kmLCN59Uef "undefined") — Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/sesamestreet/status/471651487949811712?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") Maya Angelou, Lyrical Witness of the Jim Crow South, Dies at 86, via [@nytimes](https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined"). Farewell, Dr Maya Angelou — Amy Tan (@AmyTan) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/AmyTan/status/471653954040786944?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") "If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." [#MayaAngelou](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MayaAngelou?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") : poet, author and activist, dead at 86 — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/471656977035427841?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") Rest in peace, Dr. Maya Angelou. The world is better because of your voice. — Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/471651330831175680?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") "Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise."—Maya Angelou, a truly phenomenal woman whose words will serve to lift our souls forever. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/471650157306847233?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") Thank you, Dr. Angelou. Bringer of light. Thank you. [pic.twitter.com/2LOMK7Yttp](http://t.co/2LOMK7Yttp "undefined") — Elizabeth Gilbert (@GilbertLiz) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/GilbertLiz/status/471658402117320705?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") RIP to one of the greatest women this world has ever known. Thank you Maya Angelou for all of the gifts and knowledge you gave us… — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/UncleRUSH/status/471644852342779904?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") Thank you, Maya, for your power, your politics, your poetry. We need you more than ever. Rest in peace. — Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/lenadunham/status/471653308177080321?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") R.I.P MAYA ANGELOU ..ANOTHER GREAT GONE ..BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN ..A LIFETIME OF UNDERSTANDING AND MEMORIES LIVE… — Wu Tang Clan (@WuTangClan) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/WuTangClan/status/471653369858113536?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") Rest with the angels, Maya Angelou. [pic.twitter.com/iPNSvui8BL](http://t.co/iPNSvui8BL "undefined") — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa\_Milano) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/Alyssa%5FMilano/status/471654839584555008?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") RIP Maya Angelou. RT [@DrMayaAngelou](https://twitter.com/DrMayaAngelou?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined"): Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God. — Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/DuleHill/status/471651416772452352?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." – Maya Angelou. — Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) [May 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/maryjblige/status/471648822016241665?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/123133/maya-angelou-tweets/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/123133/maya-angelou-tweets/"},"headline":"Celebrities Pay Tribute to Maya Angelou on Twitter","datePublished":"2014-05-28T14:27:33.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:55:22.129Z","description":"Notables from J.K. Rowling to Mary J. 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