In 1999, Angelou revealed that she was raped at the age of 7-years-old and did not speak until she was 13-years-old. Because the the man who raped her was murdered, she blamed herself and her voice for the crime. In a 2013 interview, Angelou spoke again on the matter, telling Oprah Winfrey that she had forgiven, but would never forget the man who violated her. Her strength to forgive inspired thousands.
