Afeni Shakur, mother of rap icon Tupac Shakur and the subject of his timeless 1995 song “Dear Mama,” has died. She was 69 years old.
Marin County deputies responded to a report of possible cardiac arrest at 9:34 p.m. on Monday night (May 2) at Shakur’s home in Sausalto, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died at 10:28 p.m.
Shakur, a businesswoman, philanthropist, former political activist was an inspiring figure for her son and many others. Born Alice Faye Williams, she changed her name when she moved to New York City and became a member of the Black Panther party. In 1969, she and a few others were charged with conspiracy to bomb multiple city landmarks. In 1971, after playing her own criminal defense attorney, Shakur was acquitted and gave birth to Tupac a month later.
Afeni Shakur founded the Georgia-based Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for Stone Mountain in 1997. The center, which closed recently, provided art programs for the youth, and Amaru Entertainment.
A biopic on the life of her son Tupac Shakur, called ‘”All Eyez On Me” recently wrapped up filming in Atlanta last month. The upcoming film features Danai Gurira, from the Walking Dead, who will play the role of Afeni in the film.
REVOLT sends out our condolences to the Shakur family.