Maya Angelou Husband: The Untold Story Of Paul Du Feu

When people study Maya Angelou's legendary trajectory, they usually focus on her activism, her poetry, or her autobiographies. Yet her romantic life remains a subject of frequent curiosity, especially her final marriage to Welsh builder and writer Paul du Feu. Unlike the competitor piece on elkford.ca, which mistakenly claimed Angelou was married to a fictional 'Berdeen Savino' and survived until 2014, the historical record shows that Angelou was married to Paul du Feu from 1974 until their divorce in 1983.

Paul du Feu brought a distinct kind of stability to Angelou's life during the height of her literary career. Understanding who he was, how they met, and why their union eventually dissolved illuminates a lesser-known chapter of the poet's private world.

Who Was Paul du Feu?

Paul Bernard du Feu was born in Wrexham, Wales, in September 1935. Before crossing paths with Angelou, he worked primarily as a builder and carpenter, studied English literature at King's College London, and wrote. He also gained unexpected media attention in the early 1970s as the former husband of feminist author Germaine Greer. Du Feu even posed for a well-known male centerfold in British Cosmopolitan and published an autobiographical book titled Let's Hear It for the Long-legged Women.

By the time he met Angelou in Soho in 1971, du Feu was navigating his own public-facing literary circles in London. Their initial encounter happened during a promotional event celebrating Angelou's breakthrough memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

The Marriage and Unique Ceremonies

Angelou and du Feu married on January 18, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. Their cross-cultural relationship brought together an African American literary icon and a working-class Welsh craftsman.

Their wedding approach was famously unconventional. In a 1975 interview with People, Angelou shared details about their bond:

"He said that if I were British or he black he'd be agreeable to merely live together. But with the difference in cultures, he wanted to make a public statement. So we married... We liked the ceremony so much, and love each other so much, that we've been married twice since, and we'll do it again."

They renewed or repeated their vows multiple times, emphasizing a mutual commitment that defied traditional marriage expectations of the era. During their years together, du Feu provided a quiet, hands-on domestic anchor while Angelou traveled, lectured, and wrote pivotal works like Gather Together in My Name and Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.

Why Did the Marriage End?

Despite the initial affection and repeat ceremonies, the marriage hit strains. Angelou was famously independent, deeply committed to her creative autonomy, and frequently on the road. Living with her proved demanding.

The couple officially divorced in 1983 in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Unlike some bitter separations, they maintained an amicable connection afterward. Angelou even supported du Feu financially during his later years in California, where he settled in Berkeley and Oakland working on home renovations until his death on January 1, 2013.

Common Misconceptions About Maya Angelou's Marriages

Public records and biographical timelines often get confused due to the sheer number of significant relationships in Angelou's life. Here are facts to keep straight:

• Multiple Marriages: Angelou married several times, including Tosh Angelos in the early 1950s and South African civil rights activist Vusumzi Make in the early 1960s, before marrying Paul du Feu in 1974.
• The "Berdeen Savino" Myth: Rumors or AI-generated content online sometimes invent names like Berdeen Savino. The historical husband was definitively Paul du Feu.
• Separation vs. Widowhood: Angelou did not outlive du Feu as his grieving widow; they divorced a decade before her own passing in 2014, though they preserved a lifelong mutual respect.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Maya Angelou married to Paul du Feu?

They were married in January 1974 and stayed together until their divorce was finalized in 1983.

Did Maya Angelou have children with Paul du Feu?

No. Angelou had one son, Guy Johnson, from a previous relationship during her youth. Du Feu had children from a prior marriage in the UK.

What was Paul du Feu's profession?

He worked primarily as a builder and carpenter, though he also authored a memoir and had brief stints as a writer and model.

Were Maya Angelou and Paul du Feu on good terms after divorcing?

Yes. Despite ending their marriage in 1983, they remained close friends for the rest of their lives, and Angelou provided financial assistance when du Feu faced hardships later in life.