Unfortunately Maya Angelou has sadly passed away. The critically acclaimed author and poet died on Wednesday, May 28th at the age of 86-years-old.

According to Us Weekly, her literary agent Helen Brann confirmed the news to CNN. Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis on April 4, 1928, was found by her caretaker in her Winston-Salem, North Carolina home.

Jus last week, a health problem forced the poet to announce that she would be skipping the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon in Houston on May 30th where she was set to be honored at the event.

The MLB told guests that Maya Angelou would be absent from the event due to "health reasons."

A month before that she backed out of another event because of her health. The "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" author was scheduled to appear at a program at the Fayetteville Public Library in Arkansas, but canceled at the last minute.

On May 26th she wrote a letter to fans via her Facebook page addressing her cancellation to the Fayetteville community. She explained, "I am profoundly saddened that I am unable to be with you."

She added, "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."

On Wednesday morning, Maya Angelou's family wrote a statement on her Facebook page that read as follows:

Statement from Dr. Maya Angelou's Family:

"Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. 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 extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love."

Guy B. Johnson