Ananda Lewis, former television host and MTV personality, passed away this Wednesday.
The news was confirmed by her sister, who announced her passing through social media. Here’s everything we know so far.
What did Ananda Lewis die of?
According to her sister, Ananda died at 11:35 a.m. in a hospice at her home in Los Angeles, California.
In 2020, Ananda revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The former TV host admitted that she had avoided getting mammograms out of fear of radiation. By October 2024, Lewis shared that the cancer had metastasized and progressed to stage 4, the terminal stage of the disease.
How old was Ananda Lewis?
At the time of her death, Ananda was 52 years old.
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What was Ananda Lewis’ net worth?
Information about Ananda Lewis’ net worth is not publicly available; however, it’s likely she was able to accumulate a substantial sum in her bank account, thanks to her years of work as a TV host and model.
Who was Ananda Lewis?
Ananda Lewis was a prominent figure in American television, known for her charisma, social commitment, and ability to connect with young audiences. Born on March 21, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, Ananda was of African American and Native American descent, specifically from the Creek and Blackfoot tribes. Her parents divorced when she was two years old, and her mother moved with Ananda and her sister Lakshmi to San Diego to be closer to their grandmother. At one point, her mother traveled to Europe, leaving the sisters in their grandmother’s care—an experience that left Ananda with feelings of abandonment.
From an early age, Ananda showed a strong interest in the arts. At age 13, she began working as a tutor and volunteer counselor at a Head Start center, which inspired her to consider a career in education or psychology. However, her family encouraged her to pursue a more lucrative profession, particularly law. She chose to study history at Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating cum laude in 1995.
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Her media career began in 1993 when she appeared in the hit music video “Baby, I’m Yours” by the group Shai, filmed on Howard’s campus. She later became the host of BET’s Teen Summit, where she tackled issues important to teenagers and won an NAACP Image Award in 1997 for her work on the show.
In 1997, Ananda joined MTV as a VJ, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her fresh style and ability to address serious topics earned her recognition as one of the most influential youth television figures of the late ’90s.
In 2001, she left MTV to launch her own talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, which aired in syndication. Though it lasted only one season, Ananda continued her media career as a correspondent on The Insider and appeared on shows like Celebrity Mole: Yucatán.
Beyond television, Ananda was a passionate advocate for various social causes. She co-hosted America’s Top Dog on A&E and served as a spokesperson for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She also supported Reading Is Fundamental, a literacy-focused organization.
In her personal life, Ananda gave birth to her son Langston in 2011, from her relationship with Harry Smith, the brother of actor Will Smith.
