Globally revered poet and activist Andrea Gibson has died aged 49. Before this, Gibson was at the forefront of the poetry movement in Colorado, having succumbed to the long fight with ovarian cancer on 14 July 2025.
Andrea’s passing was confirmed by a close group of friends who told The Denver Post that Gibson died peacefully at their home in Boulder, Colorado.
Andrea Gibson was an international tear-jerker kind of performer and social activist, and Gibson’s death has invited great sorrow and big remembrances across the world.
Who Was Andrea Gibson?
Gibson sparked a woeful cry in the timely matter of queer poetry and spoken word.
Born in Maine in 1975, and having moved to Boulder in 1999, they are very much a part of the United States poetry scene. Gibson identified as non-binary and preferred they/them pronouns. They expounded on gender, mental health, war, illness, and love.
Seven poetry collections and seven albums of their own were published. Gibson, in 2023, was given the honour of being Colorado’s Poet Laureate as the first non-binary individual to receive this honour.
Their poetry was hardly known among the testament writers’ circles and galleries. The style embraced by Gibson was an energetic mix of emotional searing and politically fearless, which strongly resonated with people.
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What Was the Cause of Andrea Gibson’s Death?
Andrea Gibson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021. In late 2022, they had to reveal the dreadful reality of the illness being terminal. They were also sufferers of chronic Lyme disease for a couple of years.
Despite the ill health, Gibson continued to write and perform in this world till late 2024. One of their last posts read: “Whenever I leave this world, I’ll be a winner that day.”
Those last months in Andrea Gibson’s life were the good days. Gathered with friends and loved ones. The family claimed they died at home.
So so heartbroken to hear about Andrea Gibson. They were one of my favorite poets. Travel well Andrea 💔😞
“This is my wheat field, you can have every acre love”- Maybe I Need You, Andrea Gibson, you are a winner today🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JjRYF0Y2b1
— Sakshi Narula (@mssakshinarula) July 14, 2025
How Did Andrea Gibson Touch Lives?
The works of Andrea Gibson transcended beyond the written word-It saved many lives. Gibson has long been talking about queer youth, their families, and other poets alike.
One mother, in an emotional tribute, recalled her son’s words given after seeing Gibson live: “Mom, Andrea saved my life.”
Few stories were like that. With their unabashed openness about identity and vulnerability, Gibson gave space for thousands to be seen and heard. Their work frequently tackled painful and personal political realities. Whether tackling issues of homophobia, chronic illness, or the inadequacies of love, Gibson did so with courage and lyricism.
How Are People Reacting to Andrea Gibson’s Death?
Tributes from far and wide were paid. Governor Jared Polis of Colorado praised Gibson for his “fierce conviction and poetic power.”
Author, media executive, and founder of The Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington, called them “a beacon of honesty and healing.”
Thousands of posts on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) remembered the poet as “a warrior of the word” and “a soul who burned bright.”
Lastly, many shared the final lines of Gibson’s last poem, Love Letter From the Afterlife, composed by him as:
“I am more here than I ever was before.”
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What Legacy Does Andrea Gibson Leave Behind?
The legacy Gibson left behind is at once personal and public.
Their work remains an unrivalled confluence of activism and artistry.
The final months of their life were the subject of a feature-length film called Come See Me in the Good Light.
The documentary made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2025 and is expected to be streaming worldwide this year.
The film contains never-before-seen interviews and footage of performances and collaborations among Gibson, Sara Bareilles, and Brandi Carlile.
It also presents scenes from Gibson’s final writing sessions, bearing witness to the strength of spirit that held the poet’s dying days in firm grasp.
Their books keep on being sold around the world and are frequently employed in classrooms, counselling sessions and LGBTQ+ support groups.
What Was Andrea Gibson’s Final Message to the World?
In the days preceding Gibson’s passing, Gibson shared thoughts on life, death, and legacy. The Glass encouraged fans not to fear grief but to welcome it as proof of deep love.
Their last Instagram caption read, “I fucking loved my life.” Those words, raw and celebratory, best describe Andrea Gibson-willingly, gratefully, and openly. Posthumously, Love Letter From the Afterlife has been viewed by millions.
In it, “they” state: “Grief is proof that you dared to love… and I promise I will never stop being a reason to smile.” The poem has been translated into 12 different languages and widely spread on international news outlets.
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A Voice That Echoes Beyond the Page
Andrea Gibson was more than just a poet-they served as a lifeline for countless searching souls of truth and belonging. Words carried with them power, vulnerability, and defiance; they spoke across borders, identities, and generations.
Whereas physically absent from this world, every verse they wrote and every heart they touched is testimony to their presence. Gibson made a clear declaration that poetry can stand for protest, healing, and hope, simultaneously. They continue to inspire a life lived fully in purpose and compassion.
In grief, we find gratitude. In loss, we find legacy.
Andrea Gibson lives on—in light, in language, and in love.
