Guy Johnson is the only child of the late civil right activist Maya Angelou. Guy Johnson’s mother, Maya Angelou, was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and many books of poetry, and she is credited with over 50 plays, movies, and television productions.
Guy Johnson: Bio Summary
| Full Name | Guy Johnson |
| famous as | son of Maya Angelou |
| Age at Time of Death | 77 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 8, 1945 |
| Place of Birth | United States of America |
| Date of Death | February 16, 2022 |
| Place of Death | Oakland, California, United States |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Siblings | none |
| Parents | Maya Angelou |
Guy Johnson is Maya Angelou’s son. He was born in the United States of America on September 8, 1945. Johnson was born when Angelou was still an adolescent.
Clyde Johnson, her son, was born three weeks after she finished high school, at the age of seventeen (who later changed his name to Guy Johnson). When he was in his late twenties, he got in an automobile accident that damaged his spinal cord and briefly immobilized him.
Who is Guy Johnson’s father?
Who is the father of Maya Angelou’s son Guy John? Maya Angelou has made no mention of Guy, his only son’s father. As previously said, she had his when she was only a teenager.
Maya was married at least twice, but never stated how many times, “for fear of looking frivolous”; according to her autobiographies and Gillespie, she married Tosh Angelos in 1951 and Paul du Feu in 1974, and began her romance with Vusumzi Make in 1961, but never formally married him.
In an interview with the Associated Press, his mother Angelou is quoted as stating about her son, “Guy Johnson is a wonder.” “He’s been physically tested.” At one time, he was paralyzed from the neck down. ‘Your kid, he will never move, he will never walk again,’ the doctors had informed me. ‘My son will walk out of this hospital,’ I said. And Guy Johnson would as well.
Maya and Make’s relationship ended in 1962, and she and her son, Guy Johnson, moved to Accra, Ghana, so he could attend college, but he was gravely injured in a vehicle accident. Angelou remained in Accra for his rehabilitation until 1965.
She was a member of the African-American expat community and worked as an administrator at the University of Ghana. She was a feature editor for The African Review, a freelance writer for the Ghanaian Times, a writer and presenter for Radio Ghana, and a performer at Ghana’s National Theatre.
The mother-son bond was extremely close.
On OWN’s Super Soul Sunday, Maya stated, “My greatest blessing has been the birth of my son.”
Johnson, like his renowned mother, was a novelist who published a number of books, including Standing at the Scratch Line.
When asked what it was like to grow up in the “shadow” of his adored parent, he said, “I didn’t. In her light, I grew up. I wasn’t always deserving of it, but it was always an experience that grew me.”
Guy died on February 16, 2022, in Oakland, California, in the United States. He passed away at the age of 77.
What caused the death of Maya Angelou’s son Guy Jonhson?
Guy’s death was announced on the mother’s official Facebook page, the legendary poet, and he died on Wednesday, Feb. 16th.
“Mr. Guy Johnson died peacefully this morning at his home in Oakland, California,” according to the statement. “Decisions will be made and announced in the next days.” “We respectfully request that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” the message says. “I appreciate your prayers, as well as your words of comfort and support.”
Guy Johnson’s mother, Angelou, died eight years prior to her son’s death on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86.
Her nurse discovered her. Despite apparently being in terrible health and canceling recent scheduled appearances, Angelou was working on another book, an autobiography about her interactions with national and world leaders.
During her funeral service at Wake Forest University, her son Guy Johnson noted that, despite being in continual pain as a result of her dance career and respiratory failure, she published four books in the last ten years of her life. “She exited this mortal realm with no loss of clarity or comprehension,” he stated.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Maya Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson, and extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family,” Wake Forest stated in a statement Thursday (February 17).
“Mr. Johnson was a close friend of Wake Forest, and he recently collaborated with the institution to establish the Maya Angelou Artist-in-Residence Award to remember his mother’s legacy, award extraordinary artists, and encourage future generations of Wake Forest students.”
Guy Johnson’s Wife & Children
Guy Johnson’s wife and children survived him. Guy Johnson and his wife, Stephanie Floyd-Johnson, married. The precise year they married is uncertain. Colin Ashanti Murphy-Johnson and Elliott Jones are Guy’s two children.
Colin, Guy’s son, was stolen when he was four years old. Angelou remembered a conversation she had with her son in which he requested that she let him go if necessary, saying:
“Mother, I refuse to live my life as a talking head… I have to ask you a question that no one should ever ask their mother. If there is no hope of recuperation, I must urge you to cut the cord and let me go.”
Johnson was under emotional duress because he longed to see his son, Colin. When the youngster was five years old, his mother snatched him.
Angelou and her son Guy searched for her missing child for four years and spent a lot of money. She called private detectives to assist with the inquiry after police failed to locate any leads, but his whereabouts remained unknown.
Finally, when Angelou was in Columbus, Ohio, an unknown woman contacted her, claiming to know Colin and his mother. His mother had now changed his name to Luke Clark.
The woman claimed that she had previously lived with Colin and his mother and wished to assist Angelou and Johnson in establishing contact with the boy. So, with the assistance of the woman and Angelou’s lawyers, the family was reunited.
Colin and his father, Guy Johnson, established Caged Bird Legacy to manage Angelou’s intellectual property and legacy much later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Guy Johnson, Maya Angelou’s Son
- Who is Guy Johnson? Guy Johnson is the only child of the late civil rights activist Maya Angelou. He is known for being the son of the iconic poet, memoirist, and civil rights figure.
- When and where was Guy Johnson born? Guy Johnson was born on September 8, 1945, in the United States of America.
- What is the relationship between Guy Johnson and Maya Angelou? Guy Johnson is the son of Maya Angelou. He was her only child.
- What were Maya Angelou’s notable achievements? Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She authored numerous autobiographies, essays, poetry collections, and contributed to plays, movies, and television productions. Her impact on literature and civil rights is profound.
- Was Guy Johnson involved in any accidents or incidents? Yes, Guy Johnson was involved in an automobile accident in his late twenties that resulted in spinal cord damage and temporary paralysis.
- Who is the father of Guy Johnson? The identity of Guy Johnson’s father has not been publicly disclosed by Maya Angelou. She had Guy when she was a teenager, and she never explicitly revealed his father’s identity.
- When and where did Guy Johnson pass away? Guy Johnson passed away on February 16, 2022, in Oakland, California, United States, at the age of 77.
- What caused Guy Johnson’s death? The exact cause of Guy Johnson’s death has not been disclosed. His passing was announced through Maya Angelou’s official Facebook page, and further details were stated to be shared in the coming days.
- When did Maya Angelou pass away? Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86. Her nurse discovered her lifeless body, and despite health challenges, Angelou remained active in her creative pursuits.
- What was the nature of Guy Johnson’s family life? Guy Johnson was married to Stephanie Floyd-Johnson. The couple had two children named Colin Ashanti Murphy-Johnson and Elliott Jones. Colin’s childhood was marked by a separation and eventual reunion with his mother, Maya Angelou.