Famed author Toni Morrison sadly passed away on Monday, August 5 reportedly due to complications of pneumonia. Her publisher Alfred A. Knopf confirmed the news on social media, writing, "We are profoundly sad to report that Toni Morrison has died at the age of eighty-eight."
In his post, he also added a famous quote from the late author. “We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.”
Toni had an illustrious career—she wrote eleven novels, children's books and collections of essays all with the black identity in America at the forefront of her stories. She gave a voice to those who had no voice, and she earned many accolades for her work, including the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Since news broke of her passing, many celebrities, politicians and fellow writers have spoken out and sent heartfelt messages.
Keep scrolling to see how they paid their respects...
Barack Obama
"Toni Morrison was a national treasure, as good a storyteller, as captivating, in person as she was on the page. Her writing was a beautiful, meaningful challenge to our conscience and our moral imagination. What a gift to breathe the same air as her, if only for a while."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
"Toni Morrison will be remembered as one of the greatest thinkers and storytellers in our history. She gave us all so much, and her work continues to give throughout time. Thank you, Toni Morrison."