Celebrated US author and poet Maya Angelou dies aged 86

US President Barack Obama (C) kisses Dr. Maya Angelou, a prominent and celebrated author, poet, educator, producer, actress, filmmaker, and civil rights activist after presenting to her the 2010 Medal of Freedom on Feburary 15, 2011 at the White House in Washington DC. Sitting next to her are former President George H.W. Bush (L) and investor Warren Buffet (R). (Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images)

Maya Angelou, the American poet and author, died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Wednesday. She was 86.

Her son, Guy B Johnson, confirmed the news in a statement. He said: "Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension.

"She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love."

Johnson said Angelou "passed quietly in her home" sometime before 8am on Wednesday.

Bill Clinton, at whose inauguration Angelou read her On the Pulse of the Morning, said in a statement: "America has lost a national treasure, and Hillary and I a beloved friend."

Angelou’s failing health was reported as recently as Tuesday, when she canceled an appearance honoring her with a Beacon of Life Award because of “health reasons”. The ceremony was part of the 2014 MLB Beacon Award Luncheon, in Houston, Texas, part of Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Games.

Last month, forced to cancel an appearance at a library in Arkansas, she wrote: "An unexpected ailment put me into the hospital. I will be getting better and the time will come when I can receive another invitation from my state and you will recognize me for I shall be the tall Black lady smiling. I ask you to please keep me in your thoughts, in your conversation and in your prayers."

Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson, in St Louis, Missouri, in 1928. She described in an NPR interview how her brother's lisp turned Marguerite into Maya.

Maya Angelou, poet in residence at Wake Forest University, talked about the poem she wrote for President Clinton's inauguration from her office in Winston-Salem, N.C., Sept. 16, 1996.
Chuck Burton/AP

Poet Maya Angelou and Gloria Steinem join a march in Washington in 1983. James M. Thresher / THE WASHINGTON POST

Angelou was hired as Hollywood's first black woman movie director on Nov. 3, 1971. She wrote the script and music, as well as directed Caged Bird, which was based on her best-selling 1969 autobiography. She had been a professional singer, dancer, writer, composer, poet, lecturer, editor, and San Francisco streetcar conductor. AP

Angelou recites her poem "On the Pulse of the Morning," during President Clinton's inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1993.
Mark Lennihan/AP