Andrea Gibson, a renowned American poet and LGBTQ+ activist known for their deeply moving poetry, passed away on Monday after a battle with a terminal illness. The news of their death was shared by their wife on social media. Here’s what we know.
How did Andrea Gibson die?
According to reports, poet Andrea Gibson had been fighting terminal ovarian cancer for four years. Their wife, Megan Falley—who co-starred with Gibson in the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Favorite Award—announced that Andrea passed away at their home in Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by family and friends.
Following their death, Gibson was honored by friends, fellow poets, and fans who praised their poetry and career, sharing how Gibson’s words had helped them through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
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How old was Andrea Gibson?
At the time of their passing, the poet was 49 years old.
Who was Andrea Gibson?
Andrea Gibson (August 13, 1975 – July 14, 2025) was a prominent poet and activist born in Calais, Maine. Throughout their life, Gibson used their art to explore powerful themes such as gender identity, LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, and mental health. Though they used the pronoun “they,” Gibson often stated they did not identify within the traditional gender binary.
Gibson had lived in Boulder, Colorado, since 1999 and became a central figure in American spoken word and political poetry. In 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis named them Poet Laureate of Colorado. Long before that recognition, they had already made a name for themselves—winning the Denver Grand Slam Poetry Championship four times and placing as a finalist in both the National Poetry Slam and the Individual World Poetry Slam during the 2000s.
Their literary career began with Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns (2008), followed by titles like The Madness Vase, Pansy, and You Better Be Lightning. Gibson also released spoken word albums such as Bullets and Windchimes, Swarm, and Hey Galaxy.
For two decades, they were part of the feminist performance collective Vox Feminista, a deeply transformative experience—especially during the years when they came out to their family.
In 2022, Gibson announced the cancellation of a tour due to a recurrence of the ovarian cancer first diagnosed in 2021. Their illness heavily influenced their later work, which centered on mortality, spirituality, grief, and love. They passed away on July 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of courage, art, and activism.
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Andrea Gibson’s Poetry Books
Throughout their career, Andrea published several poetry collections, including:
- Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns (2008)
- The Madness Vase (2012)
- Pansy (2015)
- Take Me With You (2018)
- Lord of the Butterflies (2018)
- How Poetry Can Change Your Heart (2019)
- You Better Be Lightning (2021)
What is Andrea Gibson’s most famous poem?
Determining Andrea Gibson’s most famous poem isn’t easy, as the poet wrote numerous pieces that deeply resonated with their fans. However, some of the most popular and widely acclaimed include:
- How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best
- Ashes
- Instead of Depression
- Activist
- What Can’t Be Taken
