Kanye West’s Mom Dies from Cosmetic Surgery Complications

By Pamela Mortimer

Donda West was a devoted mother and vital part of her son’s superstar life. It was a stunning blow to the family when Ms. West died suddenly due to complications from cosmetic surgery on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Her publicist Patricia Green told BBC News that Donda West passed away "as the result of complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure". No further details were available.

A spokesman for Donda West, the former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, beseeched the public for anonymity because not all family members had been notified at the time of the announcement.

"The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief," the spokesman said.

Donda West was known for the strong bond she shared with her son, by whose side she was often seen at parties and award shows. It was through her unending support that encouraged Kanye to pursue his love of music. Kanye West, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with his mother. Donda West raised Kanye alone since the age of 3 when her husband left the family.

Ms. West was the inspiration for the song, "Hey Mama", which was featured on Kanye West's 2005 album "Late Registration." He sings: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you ... I appreciate what you allowed for me. I just want you to be proud of me."

Kanye West’s work has been frequently disparaged by critics who accuse him of penning misogynistic lyrics and other alleged transgressions.

"I support my baby," Donda West said in a Chicago Sun-Times interview. "He is telling how he feels and he is speaking the truth as he sees it."

In May, she published the book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star".

Donda West worked in higher education for 31 years, before leaving the world of academia in 2004 to help manage her son's career. She had started her teaching career in the early 1970s as an instructor at Atlanta’s Brown College. Ms. West went to work at Chicago State University in 1980 and eventually chaired the school's English department. She served as CEO of West Brands LLC, the parent company of Kanye's business enterprises. In addition, she held the position of Chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit that works to improve literacy and decrease dropout rates.

In an interview last August, Kanye West told the Associated Press that he and his mother worked together to conceptualize the foundation's first program, "Loop Dreams," which helps students in public schools get involved in music.

"Me and my mother were discussing ways to give back and came up with the concept," he said.

Rhymefest, Kanye West's writing partner, mourned Donda West's death Sunday during an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI.

"She was everyone's mom," Rhymefest said. "A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever."