AllMovie

Born dirt poor and raised in the rural South, an unmarried mother at 16 and prostitute at 18, Maya Angelou beat the odds to emerge a successful poet, musician, and the recipient of over 30 honorary degrees. Intimate Portrait: Maya Angelou tells the inspiring story of Angelou's tireless journey, her personal tragedies and great achievements. By age 30, Angelou had worked as a prostitute, a showgirl, and an actress. Thanks to prayer, humor, and an unbreakable will, she turned disadvantages into what she now describes as gifts. The one-hourLifetime video is narrated by Angelou's friend and admirer, Oprah Winfrey.