The Life Lessons Maya Angelou Taught Oprah

BUY THE BOOK! ' I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ' by Maya Angelou In a special episode of The Oprah Podcast Oprah looks back on some of the most profound lessons she learned and has continued to share from one of her greatest mentors - mother-sister-friend, Dr. Maya Angelou.

It’s been 12 years since Maya Angelou passed, however Oprah says she taught her more than any other single human being and those lessons continue to help guide her and so many people in their lives. A victim of severe trauma as a child, Maya Angelou was raised by her grandmother and spent five years of her childhood as a mute.

She would go on to become one of the world's most respected poets and authors writing more than 30 books. Her seminal autobiography series began with I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings considered one of the best non-fiction books of all time.

Oprah revisits the moment she read that book and how it changed her life. Oprah also goes back in time to recall the great conversations and words of wisdom she gained from Maya Angelou including, “When you know better, you do better,” “When someone tells you who they are, believe them,” “I come as one, but stand as 10,000” and many, many others we can all benefit from.

Oprah also shares with listeners a beautiful poem called “ Continue ” Maya Angelou personally wrote for Oprah for her 50th birthday.