Renowned poet and author Maya Angelou dies at 86

One of America's most famous poets and writers, Maya Angelou, has died. She died last night with her family by her side in a Winston-Salem, North Carolina hospital while recovering from a mystery sickness, TMZ reports. She was 86 years old.

Angelou was recovering from an "unexpected ailment" that sent her to the hospital. She died with family by her side.

In a Facebook post yesterday, she said doctors had advised her not to travel ... forcing her to cancel a planned trip to Houston, where she was to be honored Friday with the Beacon of Life Award at Major League Baseball's Civil Rights Game.

The famed author has received more than 30 honorary degrees from universities around the world.  She published 7 autobiographies, 3 books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than 50 years. May her soul rest in peace.

Culled