Tragic: Author and poet Maya Angelou was found dead in her home in North Carolina on Wednesday

Civil rights activist, groundbreaking poet and author who wrote "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" Maya Angelou is dead at 86.

According to reports, a caretaker found her dead at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this morning, 28th May 2014.

She had been struggling with health problems in recent weeks and had recently canceled a May 30 appearance at the 2014 MLB Beacon Award Luncheon in Houston, where she was to be honored with the 'Beacon Life Award.'

The civil rights icon blamed her failing health for missing the event.

An official at the Winston-Salem mayor's office confirmed that the poet had passed away.

Angelou has been celebrated as one of the greatest writers of her generation, bringing light to the struggles of women and African Americans -- as well as  the human condition, at large.

She was the first African American woman to be honored with a Pulitzer Prize and had received countless other accolades for her work including  the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her collected works of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, including her groundbreaking memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made history as one of the first nonfiction best-sellers by an African-American woman.

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.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-Maya Angelou

Nothing will work unless you do.
-Maya Angelou

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-Maya Angelou

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.
-Maya Angelou

I first learnt about Maya Angelou many years ago through her quotes, but I became even more familiar and fascinated with her work after she was featured by actor/producer Tyler Perry in on one of his Madea movies.

She was indeed an Icon. May her soul rest in peace, Amen. 

Thanks