For over five decades, Tupac’s aunt, Assata Shakur, was a household name. From the frontlines of the Black liberation struggle to the FBI’s most-wanted list, her story was anything but ordinary. On Friday, Cuban officials confirmed that Shakur, who had been living in exile in Havana since her dramatic 1979 prison escape, has passed away at the age of 78.
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Assata Shakur Passes Away
On Friday, the Cuban Foreign Ministry took to X to officially announce the passing of Joanne Deborah Byron, better known around the world as Assata Shakur. The U.S. fugitive and revolutionary figure reportedly died in Havana on Thursday, September 25th, due to “health conditions and advanced age.” Additionally, because Assata lived a very private life, the specific health conditions she faced remain unclear.
Let’s not forget—Shakur’s name stayed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List, but her presence in Cuba was protected for decades. Now, the country that gave her asylum is the one delivering the final word. A complicated legacy, no doubt—but one that’s impossible to ignore.
The TL Came Through Loud & Clear
The Shade Room comments section got real as roomies came through to pay respects to Assata. Tons of fans gave Cuba major props for never letting go, proving they were ride or die all the way. But of course, some kept it 100, saying Assata was exactly who they thought she was — that girl — while others just wished her a rest in peace and left it at that.
One Instagram user @asiasuprvme said, “Shoutout to Cuba for protecting this goddess, asé. ”
This Instagram user @dreambuckz added, “Passed away free and protected! Thank you Cuba for doing what The United States have failed to do for YEARS . PROTECT A BLACK WOMAN ”
Instagram user @rudi.not.rudy commented, “Rest in Power Queen ”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @addicted2_lex shared, “Cuba never gave her up , she died a free woman ”
While Instagram user @zaddyyy_ink joked, “They still have all her belongings at The prison… they swore she was coming back”
Finally, Instagram user @_darae said, “She was exactly who she thought she was Rest Peacefully Queen”
Unpacking Assata Shakur’s Legacy
Now, if you don’t know who Assata Shakur was, let us school you real quick. She wasn’t just some name in the headlines—Assata was a Black Liberation Army OG with a $2 million FBI bounty on her head, living that fugitive life in Havana thanks to Fidel Castro himself. Oh, and fun fact: she was also the godmother and step-aunt to none other than Tupac Shakur. Convicted for a deadly ’73 shootout that left a state trooper dead, she escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum and lived in exile for decades. Furthermore, Assata claimed the FBI had her on their hit list during their war on Black activists.
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