Maya Angelou touched the heart and souls of millions across the world, and Oprah Winfrey has very fond memories of the beloved poet and author.

Ms. Angelou, 86, passed away this morning at her North Carolina home peacefully according to family.

Oprah had the following to say about the legendary star. 

From Variety:

“I’ve been blessed to have Maya Angelou as my mentor, mother/sister, and friend since my 20’s,” Winfrey said following news of Angelou’s death. “She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher. ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give’ is one of my best lessons from her.

“She won three Grammys, spoke six languages and was the second poet in history to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. But what stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she lived her life. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace. I loved her and I know she loved me. I will profoundly miss her. She will always be the rainbow in my clouds.”

Read more at Variety

President Obama also released a statement regarding Angelou’s death, saying that she was “a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman.”

Continue to rest in peace Ms. Angelou. Your legacy is one that will forever live on.

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