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Summary
Anita Bryant, a once-renowned singer turned controversial activist, passed away at the age of 84. Remembered for her musical talent and polarizing stance on gay rights, Anita’s life spanned significant highs and lows. While her advocacy for conservative causes reshaped her public image, her early contributions to music and entertainment remain noteworthy.
Anita Bryant, a celebrated singer of the 1960s who later became a polarizing figure for her opposition to gay rights, has passed away on Dec. 16 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was 84.
Just announced on Jan. 10, 2924, her son, William Green, confirmed that the cause of death was cancer. The family shared the news in an obituary published in “The Okhlahoman.”
Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Anita grew up in a deeply religious household and began her singing career in church. Her talent led to her being crowned Miss Oklahoma in 1958 and becoming a runner-up in the Miss America pageant in 1959. These achievements launched a recording career that brought her widespread acclaim and frequent appearances on television variety shows.
Anita rose to fame in the early 1960s with a string of hit songs, including “Paper Roses” and “In My Little Corner of the World,” earning her a place in American pop culture. A gifted vocalist, she became widely recognized as the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission, featuring in popular television commercials with the tagline, “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”
Despite her musical success, Bryant’s legacy was overshadowed by her controversial activism. In the late 1970s, she spearheaded the “Save Our Children” campaign, aimed at repealing a Dade County, Florida, ordinance that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. Her vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ rights ignited a national backlash and is often credited with mobilizing the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The fallout from her activism took a toll on her career. Boycotts of Florida orange juice forced the Florida Citrus Commission to sever ties with her, and public support waned. By the 1980s, she had retreated from the spotlight, later reflecting on her activism in her 1992 autobiography, “A New Day”.
Anita is survived by her children and grandchildren, who described her as a devoted mother and grandmother in their statement.
