Donda C. West was an American professor and chair of Chicago State University’s Department of English, Communications, Media and Theater, and the mother of musician and producer Kanye West. Let us explore more about her death and personal info.
Who was Donda West
Donda C. West was an American professor and chair of Chicago State University’s Department of English, Communications, Media and Theater, and the mother of musician and producer Kanye West.
Donda West was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Union University in 1971 and her doctoral degree from Auburn University in 1980. On August 19, 1958, she and her father took part in the Katz Drug Store sit-in in Oklahoma City.
As part of her teaching career, Donda spent a year in China when Kanye was 10 years the two lived in the city of Nanjing together. She wanted to raise Kanye to be a “
leader” and was a scholar herself. She left her teaching career in 2004 to work with Kanye and manage him in California.
In 2004, Donda moved to California to work for Kanye. She was his manager and always supported her son’s music career.
How Did Donda West died?
On November 10, 2007, West died at age 58. In January 2008, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said that she had died of coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors from cosmetic surgery.
Donda passed away suddenly a day after she underwent cosmetic surgery. Authorities in Los Angeles launched an investigation into her death after learning the doctor who operated on her had convictions for alcohol-related offenses and at least two major malpractice settlements.
Much of Kanye’s influence came from his mother and his younger years were likely influenced by her career as a teacher.
Kanye West played his first concert following the funeral at The O2 in London on November 22. He dedicated a performance of “Hey Mama”, as well as a cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”, to his mother, and did so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.
Donda West Age at Death and Autopsy
On November 10, 2007, West died at age 58. In January 2008, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said that she had died of coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors from cosmetic surgery.
Donda was born in Oklahoma in 1949 and had both a bachelor’s and a doctoral degree.
Following his mother’s death, Kanye has spoken about feeling guilt and in an interview with Q Magazine, he said: “If I had never moved to L.A. she’d be alive.” as per Rolling Out in 2015.