Who Is Audre Lorde? Age, Biography and Wiki
Audre Lorde was born on February 18, 1934, and she passed away on November 17, 1992. Renowned as an influential American writer, poet, and feminist activist, Lorde dedicated her life to advocating for social justice, focusing on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. She played a pivotal role in the feminist and civil rights movements, using her literary talents to articulate the struggles of marginalized communities. In 2025, her legacy continues to inspire new generations of activists and artists alike.
| Occupation | Civil Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1934 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Date of death | 17 November, 1992 |
| Died Place | Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands |
Popularity
Audre Lorde's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Audre Lorde's height and weight during her lifetime are not widely documented, she was known for her powerful presence and charisma. Her writings and speeches emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and empowerment, which transcended societal standards of beauty.
Years later, on August 27, 1983, Audre Lorde delivered an address as part of the "Litany of Commitment" at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
"Today we march," she said, "lesbians and gay men and our children, standing in our own names together with all our struggling sisters and brothers here and around the world, in the Middle East, in Central America, in the Caribbean and South Africa, sharing our commitment to work for a joint livable future.
We know we do not have to become copies of each other to be able to work together. We know that when we join hands across the table of our difference, our diversity gives us great power. When we can arm ourselves with the strength and vision from all of our diverse communities, then we will in truth all be free at last."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Audre Lorde was a proud mother and a devoted partner. She had three children, and her relationships reflected her commitment to love and support those around her. Though she was married to Edwin Rollins during her early years, she later revealed her romantic relationships with women, including her significant partner, Gloria I. Joseph. Lorde's candid discussions about her sexuality paved the way for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships within the feminist discourse.
Audre Lorde (born Audrey Geraldine Lorde; February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992) was an American writer, professor, philosopher, intersectional feminist, poet and civil rights activist.
She was a self-described "Black, lesbian, feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, poet" who dedicated her life and talents to confronting different forms of injustice, as she believed there could be "no hierarchy of oppressions" among "those who share the goals of liberation and a workable future for our children."
Net Worth and Salary
Although the exact net worth of Audre Lorde is not recorded, her impact on literature and activism has left an indelible mark on cultural landscapes. In 2025, her works remain widely studied and celebrated, contributing to the ongoing dialogue around feminism and social justice. Posthumous recognition and the continuous reprint of her works ensure that her contributions remain financially impactful within educational and literary circles.
The Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, an organization in New York City named for Michael Callen and Lorde, is dedicated to providing medical health care to the city's LGBT population without regard to ability to pay. Callen-Lorde is the only primary care center in New York City created specifically to serve the LGBT community.
Career, Business and Investments
Audre Lorde's career spanned numerous roles as a poet, essayist, and activist. She published several renowned collections, such as "The Black Unicorn" and "Our Dead Behind Us," which feature a blend of personal experiences and political insights. Lorde worked as a librarian and educator throughout her life, contributing her knowledge to various academic institutions. Additionally, her involvement with organizations focused on civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ advocacy led to significant advancements in social justice initiatives.
Despite the success of these volumes, it was the release of Coal in 1976 that established Lorde as an influential voice in the Black Arts Movement, and the large publishing house behind it – Norton – helped introduce her to a wider audience.
The volume includes poems from both The First Cities and Cables to Rage, and it unites many of the themes Lorde would become known for throughout her career: her rage at racial injustice, her celebration of her black identity, and her call for an intersectional consideration of women's experiences.
Lorde followed Coal up with Between Our Selves (also in 1976) and Hanging Fire (1978).
Social Network
Audre Lorde was a vibrant part of the literary and activist communities, engaging with fellow writers and activists throughout her career. While social media was not present during her lifetime, in 2025, her influence continues through various platforms that celebrate her legacy, such as online forums and literary events. Many organizations still honor her work, ensuring her voice remains alive in contemporary discussions around feminism and civil rights.
Raised Catholic, Lorde attended parochial schools before moving on to Hunter College High School, a secondary school for intellectually gifted students. Poet Diane di Prima was a classmate and friend. While attending Hunter, Lorde published her first poem in Seventeen magazine after her school's literary journal rejected it for being inappropriate.
Also in high school, Lorde participated in poetry workshops sponsored by the Harlem Writers Guild, but noted that she always felt like somewhat of an outcast from the Guild. She felt she was not accepted because she "was both crazy and queer but [they thought] I would grow out of it all." Lorde graduated from Hunter College High School in 1951.
Education
Audre Lorde received her education at Hunter College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She later studied library science at Columbia University. Her educational background allowed her to blend her love for literature with her activism, shaping her into a formidable figure in both fields.
As a child, Lorde struggled with communication, and came to appreciate the power of poetry as a form of expression. She even described herself as thinking in poetry.
She memorized a great deal of poetry, and would use it to communicate, to the extent that, "If asked how she was feeling, Audre would reply by reciting a poem." Around the age of twelve, she began writing her own poetry and connecting with others at her school who were considered "outcasts", as she felt she was.
