Cicely Tyson was born on December 19, 1924, in Harlem, New York City, to immigrants from Nevis in the West Indies. She grew up in a devoutly religious household and began her career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting.

Cicely Tyson was known for her vivid portrayals of strong African American women, and her career spanned more than seven decades. She was married twice, first to Kenneth Franklin from 1942 to 1956, and later to jazz legend Miles Davis from 1981 to 1989.

She had one daughter, Michelle, with Franklin. Tyson's career began in the late 1940s, and she quickly rose to prominence with her role in the 1972 film "Sounder," for which she received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

She also starred in films such as "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" (1968), "The River Niger" (1976), "Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991), "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" (2005), "The Help" (2011), and "Last Flag Flying" (2017).

On television, she broke barriers with her role on the CBS drama series "East Side West Side" (1963-1964) and won two Primetime Emmy Awards for "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" (1974) and "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" (1994).

She was known for her commitment to presenting positive images of Black women and refused roles that she considered demeaning. She received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including three Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, a Tony Award, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2018.

Her final Broadway appearance was in the revival of "The Gin Game" (2016) opposite James Earl Jones. Her lifestyle was marked by her elegance and grace, and she was known for her signature style, often designed by her longtime friend and fashion designer B Michael.

She revealed her secret to living life to the fullest in an interview, quoting, "To thine own self be true," and explained that staying true to oneself was the key to a fulfilling life.

Cicely Tyson continued to work until her death at the age of 96 on January 28, 2021.