This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Toni Morrison, the celebrated American author and Nobel laureate, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2019, at the age of 88, surrounded by her family and friends at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
According to her family and publisher, Morrison died following a short illness, leaving behind a legacy of over 10 books, including the Pulitzer-winning novel 'Beloved' (1987), which was later adapted into a film starring Oprah Winfrey.
Throughout her illustrious career, Morrison was known for her thought-provoking works that explored black identity in America and the experiences of black women. She was also a prolific essayist, playwright, songwriter, and academic who regularly lectured at top universities across the US.
Her numerous accolades include becoming the first black woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1993 and receiving the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
As news of her passing spread, tributes poured in from around the world, with Nigerians taking to Twitter to pay their respects to the late literary genius. With over 500k tweets, Toni Morrison is currently trending on Twitter, celebrating the life of a talented author who inspired countless people.
