Vivian Ayers Allen, acclaimed poet and playwright and mother of Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen, has died at the age of 102.

Vivian Ayers, the mother of Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, has died at the age of 102. Allen shared a heartfelt post about her mother’s demise on August 21, 2025, which included a collage of photos with her family. She wrote in the caption:

The classicist and one of the country’s “Cultural giants” has died, according to her daughter, actress and producer Debbie Allen.