Who was Guy Johnson? Wiki, Age, Wife, Family & Facts About Maya Angelous Son

Guy Johnson (born 8 September 1945 – died 16 February 2022, Aged: 77 years old) was the only child of the legendary Maya Angelou, a renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist.

He was also a poet and an author who followed his mother’s footsteps in the literary world. He passed away on February 16, 2022, at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of his own. Here are some facts about Guy Johnson that you may not know.

Early Life and Family Background

Guy was born on September 8, 1945, in the United States of America. His birth name was Clyde Johnson, but he later changed it to Guy. He was the result of a brief relationship between Maya Angelou and an unnamed man, whom she never married. Angelou was only 17 years old when she gave birth to her son, three weeks after completing school. She raised him as a single mother, with the help of her family and friends.

Johnson spent his childhood in various places, as his mother moved around for work and personal reasons. He lived in St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Cairo, and Accra, among other cities. He was exposed to different cultures, languages, and experiences, which shaped his worldview and personality. He also witnessed his mother’s struggles and achievements, as she pursued her career as a writer and an activist.

Educational Background

Guy attended college in Ghana, where he and his mother relocated in 1961. He was interested in African history and politics, and he became involved in the African-American expat community. He also worked as a journalist and a broadcaster for Radio Ghana.

However, his education and career were interrupted by a tragic car accident in 1962, which left him with a spinal cord injury and temporary paralysis. He spent months in recovery, with his mother by his side, who refused to give up on his prognosis. He eventually regained his mobility, but he had to use a cane for the rest of his life.

Guy Johnson Wiki/Bio

Career and Achievements

Johnson returned to the United States in 1965, and he resumed his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated with a degree in history, and he later earned a master’s degree in Black studies from San Francisco State University. He also taught at several colleges and universities, including the University of Ghana, the University of Kansas, and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Guy followed his mother’s passion for writing, and he published several books of poetry and fiction. His first book was a collection of poems titled Moments of Magic, which he dedicated to his mother. His second book was a novel titled Standing at the Scratch Line, which was a historical saga about a Black family in Louisiana.

His third book was a sequel to the novel, titled Echoes of a Distant Summer. His fourth book was a memoir titled Rainbow in the Cloud: The Wisdom and Spirit of Maya Angelou, which he co-authored with his mother. His books received critical acclaim and praise from readers, who appreciated his vivid storytelling and rich characters.

Johnson was also a speaker and a performer, who shared his insights and experiences with various audiences. He participated in several literary festivals and events, such as the National Book Festival, the Harlem Book Fair, and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. He also performed his poetry and read excerpts from his books at various venues, such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He often collaborated with his mother, who was his biggest inspiration and supporter.

Personal Life, Spouse & Kids

Guy Johnson was married twice in his life. His first wife was Stephanie Barron, whom he married in 1970. They had a son named Colin Ashanti Murphy-Johnson, who was born in 1971. Colin is also a writer and a poet, who has published several books, such as The Last Poets and The Book of Rhymes. Guy and Stephanie Barron divorced in 1973.

Guy Johnson’s second wife was Dolly McPherson, whom he married in 1984. She was a professor of English and a scholar of African-American literature, who wrote a biography of Maya Angelou, titled Order Out of Chaos. Guy and Dolly McPherson remained married until she died in 2006.

Net Worth and Income Sources

According to one source, Johnson’s net worth was estimated to be $1.4 million as of 2021. His main income sources were his books, which he published as a poet and an author. He also earned money from his teaching, speaking, and performing activities. He was not among the richest people in the world, unlike some of the billionaires who got rich fighting Covid-19 or other fields.

Nationality, Religion, and Ethnicity

Guy was an American citizen by birth, as he was born in the United States of America. His mother, Maya Angelou, was also an American, though she lived in various countries, such as Egypt and Ghana, for some periods of her life. His father’s identity and nationality are unknown, as he was never married to Angelou and had a brief relationship with her.

Johnson’s religion is not clear, as he did not publicly discuss his faith or beliefs. His mother, Maya Angelou, was a spiritual person who explored different religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism and incorporated elements of them into her life and work. She also had a strong connection to African culture and heritage, which influenced her son as well.

Guy Johnson’s ethnicity was African-American, as he was descended from enslaved Africans who were brought to America. He also had some Native American ancestry, as his mother claimed to have Cherokee roots. He was proud of his ethnic background and celebrated the diversity and richness of the African-American experience in his poetry and fiction.

Controversies

Guy was not a very controversial figure, as he mostly avoided the spotlight and focused on his literary and academic pursuits. However, he was sometimes associated with the controversies of his mother, Maya Angelou, who was a prominent and outspoken activist and leader in the civil rights movement. For example, some people accused Angelou of being a communist sympathizer, a CIA agent, or a murderer, based on her involvement in various political and social causes.

One of the most controversial aspects of Johnson’s life was his involvement in a car accident in 1962, which left him with a spinal cord injury and temporary paralysis. Some conspiracy theorists claimed that the accident was not an accident at all, but a deliberate attempt to kill him and his mother, who were living in Ghana at the time.

They speculated that the CIA, the FBI, or other enemies of the civil rights movement were behind the plot, as they wanted to silence Angelou and her son, who were influential voices for racial justice and equality. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, and Guy himself never commented on them.

Relationship with Maya Angelou

Guy had a very close and loving relationship with his mother, Maya Angelou, who considered him her greatest blessing. They shared a bond of mutual respect, admiration, and affection, and they supported each other’s endeavors. They also collaborated on several projects, such as books, documentaries, and speeches. They communicated regularly, and they often visited each other.

Maya Angelou once said of her son, “He is a wonder. He has been physically challenged. He was paralyzed from his neck down at one point. The doctors had told me, ‘Your son, he will never move again, he will never walk again.’ I said, ‘My son will walk out of this hospital.’ And he did.”

Guy Johnson was also close to his grandson, Caylin Louis Moore, who was born in 1994. Caylin is a Rhodes Scholar, a Fulbright Scholar, and a graduate of Texas Christian University and Oxford University. He is also an author, who wrote a memoir titled A Dream Too Big: The Story of an Improbable Journey from Compton to Oxford. Guy was very proud of his grandson, and he encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

Death and Legacy

Johnson died on February 16, 2022, in Oakland, California, at the age of 77. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but he had been suffering from health issues for a long time. He was surrounded by his family and friends, who mourned his loss and celebrated his life.

Guy left behind a legacy of his own, as a poet, an author, a teacher, a speaker, and a performer. He also contributed to the legacy of his mother, Maya Angelou, who died in 2014, by preserving and promoting her work and her wisdom. He was a remarkable man, who overcame many challenges and achieved many successes. He was a loving son, a devoted father, a caring husband, and a doting grandfather. He was a source of inspiration and joy for many people, who admired his courage, his creativity, and his spirit.

Guy Johnson will be remembered as a man who lived a life of magic, as he wrote in one of his poems:

I have lived a life of magic

I have seen the wonders of the world

I have danced with the stars and the moon

I have sung with the birds and the wind

I have loved with the fire and the water

I have lived a life of magic

And I am grateful for every moment

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