Literature · Philosophy · 1938–2025
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o — Age, Birthday & Biography
Born: 5 January 1938 · Died: 28 May 2025 · Age at death: 87
How old was Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o when he died?
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o died aged 87. He was born on 5 January 1938 and died on 28 May 2025.
Kenyan author and academic who advocates for African languages
Did you know?He wrote his first novel in the Gikuyu language on rolls of toilet paper while being held in a maximum-security prison.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (Gikuyu:; born James Ngugi; 5 January 1938 – 28 May 2025) was a Kenyan author and academic, who has been described as East Africa's leading novelist and an important figure in modern African literature.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Age at death
- 87
- Would be
- 88
- Years since death
- 1
- Born
- January 5, 1938 · Kamirithu, Kenya
- Died
- May 28, 2025
- Nationality
- Kenyan
- Known for
- Literature, Philosophy
Family
- Children
- Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ
Explore
- Born on January 5Born on January 5 too? You share your birthday with Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Umberto Eco, Konrad Adenauer and 27 more famous people. See your full list of birthday matches.Date page
- Died on May 28Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is remembered every May 28, along with 18 other notable people who died on this day. Discover what else happened on that date.Date page
- See the front page from the day Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was bornA newspaper front page for 5 January 1938, styled like the papers of the time, with headlines and famous birthdays from that day.Birthday newspaper
- Would-be age todayNgũgĩ wa Thiong'o would be 88 years old today. See how many birthdays they would have celebrated.Age
- Birth anniversaryNgũgĩ wa Thiong'o's 89th birthday is in 72 days. If it's your birthday too, it's a double celebration!89th
- Death anniversaryThe 2nd anniversary of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's death is in 215 days. A moment to remember their legacy.2nd
- Capricorn zodiac signCapricorn people are known for being ambitious, disciplined and patient. Are you a Capricorn like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o? Meet others who share your star sign.Zodiac
Born on the same day6
January 5 →
1932–2016Umberto Eco
1876–1967Konrad Adenauer
b. 1975Bradley Cooper
b. 1938Juan Carlos I of Spain
b. 1956Frank-Walter Steinmeier
b. 1941Hayao Miyazaki
Missing someone? Suggest them
Also Capricorn4
All →
1929–1968Martin Luther King Jr.
1642–1727Isaac Newton
1935–1977Elvis Presley
1942–2018Stephen Hawking
Birthday gift ideas
A newspaper from their birth date
The front page from the day they were born, a classic keepsake.
Shop on AmazonCapricorn zodiac gifts
Jewellery, prints and candles for the Capricorn in your life.
Shop on EtsyStar map of January 5
A custom print of the night sky on their birthday.
Shop on EtsyMilestone birthday gifts
Ideas for 18th, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond.
Shop on AmazonWe may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you.