Andrea Gibson, the award-winning poet and spoken word artist known for her unflinching honesty and emotional brilliance, has died at the age of 49. Her wife, poet Megan Falley, confirmed the news on Monday, saying Gibson died at her home in Boulder, Colorado, in the presence of loved ones including her parents, friends and her three beloved dogs.
Andrea Gibson was a fearless voice of modern poetry—known not only for her poetic brilliance but also for her deep engagement with audiences on topics like gender identity, love, politics and terminal illness. She spent the last four years openly battling ovarian cancer, and turned her journey into art that brought solace and courage to countless fans.
In an extremely emotional moment at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Andrea Gibson revealed she did not expect to live long enough to see the first screening of her documentary, “Come See Me in the Good Light.”
The Apple TV+ film, to be released this fall, chronicles Gibson’s life, love and final months.
Andrea Gibson was not just a poet but a lifeline for many. LGBTQ+ youth found acceptance and strength in her poems, and people battling terminal illness felt seen and less afraid. In one of her final poems, “Love Letter from the Afterlife,” Gibson wrote, “Dying is the opposite of giving up.”
Born in Maine and later appointed Colorado’s poet laureate, Gibson’s legacy includes several acclaimed books like “You Better Be Lightning” and “Lord of the Butterflies.” Her words were spontaneous, radiant and deeply human.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis called her “truly one of a kind,” while her close friend Tig Notaro remembered Gibson as a rock star full of spirit who guided others even in her final moments.
Andrea Gibson may have left her body, but as she wrote, “I am more here than ever.” Her poetry will live forever—alive in every reader who dares to love, feel, and speak the truth.
