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Tosh Angelos (Maya Angelou's Ex-Husband) Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Kids, Net Worth & More

Tosh Angelos was a Greek-American sailor, electrician, and musician, who was best known for being the first husband of Maya Angelou, a legendary author and poet. They met in the late 1940s in San Francisco, where they were both involved in the artistic and bohemian circles.

Maya Angelou was a legendary figure in American literature and culture. She was a poet, memoirist, civil rights activist, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her life story, which she chronicled in seven autobiographies, was a testament to her resilience, courage, and wisdom. She inspired millions of people with her powerful words and moving stories.

But behind her remarkable achievements and fame, there was also a personal side of Maya Angelou that many people may not know. She had a turbulent and complex love life, marked by three marriages and several relationships. Her first husband was Tosh Angelos, a Greek-American sailor and musician, who played a significant role in her early career and identity.

Who was Tosh, and what was his relationship with Maya Angelou like? How did they meet, and why did they part ways? What happened to him after their divorce? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Tosh, the man who was once married to one of the most influential women in history.

Tosh Angelos Wiki/Bio

NameTosh Angelos
Birth nameEnistasious Angelos
Birth dateJanuary 3, 1925
BirthplaceGreece
Death dateFebruary 10, 1978
Death placeSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Death causeHeart attack
OccupationElectrician, sailor, musician
NationalityGreek-American
EthnicityGreek
ReligionAtheist
SpouseMaya Angelou (m. 1951; div. 1954)
ChildrenTina Angelos, Gina Angelos
Notable forBeing the first husband of Maya Angelou, a famous poet and author
LinksInstagram- #ToshAngelos

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Birthday, Family, and Career of Tosh Angelos

Tosh Angelos was born on January 3, 1925 (age: 53 years, when died), in Greece. His birth name was Enistasious Angelos, but he later changed it to Tosh, which was easier to pronounce in English. He immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a child and grew up in San Francisco, California.

Angelos had a diverse and adventurous career path. He worked as an electrician, a sailor, and an aspiring musician. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later joined the Merchant Marine. He traveled around the world, visiting different countries and cultures. He also had a passion for music, especially jazz and blues. He played the saxophone and the clarinet and hoped to become a professional musician someday.

Meeting and Marrying Maya Angelou

In the late 1940s, Tosh Angelos met Maya Angelou, who was then known by her birth name, Marguerite Johnson. She was a young woman with a son, Clyde “Guy” Johnson, whom she had given birth to when she was 16 years old. She had a difficult childhood, marked by abuse, racism, and poverty. She had moved to San Francisco with her mother and brother and was working as a waitress and a dancer.

He and Angelou were introduced by a mutual friend, and they soon fell in love. They faced a lot of opposition and prejudice, as interracial marriages were still illegal in many states and frowned upon by society. Angelou’s mother, Vivian Baxter, did not approve of their relationship and tried to discourage her daughter from marrying Enistasious Angelos. However, Angelou was determined to follow her heart, and married Angelos in 1951, in a small ceremony attended by their friends and family.

Angelos supported Angelou’s artistic ambitions and encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer and dancer. He also suggested that she use a stage name, Maya Angelou, which was derived from his own name and her brother’s nickname for her. Angelou began to perform at various nightclubs and theaters and gained popularity as a calypso singer and dancer. She also received a scholarship to study with Pearl Primus, a famous Trinidadian dancer and choreographer.

Height, Weight

  • Height: about 5’9″
  • Weight: Unknown
  • Eye color: Brown

The End of Their Marriage and Its Impact on Maya Angelou

Despite their love and support for each other, Tosh Angelos and Angelou’s marriage did not last long. They had different views on religion and politics, which caused conflicts and disagreements. Angelou was a devout Christian, while Enistasious Angelos was an atheist. Angelou was also becoming more involved in the civil rights movement, while he was not interested in social activism.

The couple decided to separate in 1954 and divorced shortly after. The divorce was a painful and traumatic experience for Angelou, who felt betrayed and abandoned by Angelos. She blamed herself for the failure of their marriage and suffered from depression and guilt. She also struggled to raise her son as a single mother and to cope with the challenges of being a black woman in a racist and sexist society.

However, Angelou did not give up on her dreams and aspirations. She used her pain and sorrow as a source of inspiration and strength and channeled them into her art and activism. She continued to perform and write and traveled to various countries, such as Egypt, Ghana, and Cuba, where she met and worked with prominent figures, such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Fidel Castro. She also began to write her autobiographies, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which was published in 1969, and became a bestseller and a classic of American literature.

Influencing Maya Angelou’s Career

Tosh Angelos played an important role in Maya Angelou’s early career as a singer and dancer. He encouraged her to pursue her artistic talents and helped her find opportunities to perform and showcase her skills. He also inspired her to adopt the stage name Maya Angelou, which was derived from his own surname and her childhood nickname.

Angelou began her career as a calypso singer and dancer at the Purple Onion, a famous nightclub in San Francisco. She also recorded her first album, Miss Calypso, in 1957. She received positive reviews and recognition for her performances and even appeared in an off-Broadway musical called Calypso Heat Wave. She also studied dance with renowned dancers such as Pearl Primus and Alvin Ailey, and became friends with other prominent artists such as James Baldwin and Langston Hughes.

Net Worth

YearNet Worth
1975$50,000 (estimated)
1976$55,000 (estimated)
1977$60,000 (estimated)

Later Life and Death of Tosh Angelos

After his divorce from Angelou, Tosh Angelos remained in San Francisco and continued to work as an electrician and a musician. He also remarried and had two daughters, Tina and Gina. He maintained a friendly relationship with Angelou and her son and occasionally visited them. He also followed Angelou’s career and achievements and expressed his admiration and respect for her.

Tosh Angelos died on February 10, 1978, at the age of 53, from a heart attack. He was buried in San Francisco, and his funeral was attended by his family and friends, including Angelou and her son. Angelou paid tribute to him in her memoir, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas, where she wrote:

“Tosh was a good man. He was kind and funny and he loved me. He loved Guy and he loved music. He was my husband and I missed him.”

Tosh Angelos was a man of many talents and passions, who lived a diverse and adventurous life. He was also the first husband of Maya Angelou, one of the most influential women in history. Their relationship was a significant part of Angelou’s early life and career, and influenced her identity and art. Although their marriage ended in divorce, they remained in touch and respected each other.

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Abbie Anker

Update: 2024-05-17