Kanye West's Mother Donda Dies

A Strong Bond

Kanye and Donda's strong mother-son bond began when the future hip-hop star was around one year old after Kanye's father, Ray, left the home. The Wests were officially divorced when Kanye was three. It was after the divorce when Donda packed up Kanye and left Atlanta for the city of Chicago.

It was there in Chicago, where Donda raised Kanye as a single mother, working as a teacher and eventually, finding her place at the top as the chairperson of the English Department at Chicago State University.

Dr. Donda West left the university in 2004 in order to help manage Kanye's career and eventually chaired the Kanye West Foundation. She later co-authored the book Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip Hop Superstar, chronicling her relationship with her son.

An Unexpected Death

Preliminary reports state that Dr. West died of complications from surgery at Centinela Marina Hospital in Marina Del Ray, California. Reported details of the sudden death have been conflicting and it remains under investigation to find the exact cause.

Kanye was in London when he received the heartbreaking news and immediately flew to Los Angeles to be with his family, friends and loved ones. West is reportedly, understandably so, devastated, as anyone would be when faced with the loss of a mother and her unconditional support and love.