By means of The Years: Remembering Ananda Lewis

Ananda Lewis, the beloved tv host, journalist, and fierce advocate for Black ladies’s well being, has handed away following a years-long battle with stage 4 breast most cancers. Her sister, Lakshmi, confirmed the information in a Fb publish.

Ananda was 52.

Ananda Lewis Was The It Lady In The ’90s – We Liked To See Her

Supply: Raymond Boyd / Getty

I obtained to know Ananda later in life, and he or she left a long-lasting impression on me. However I used to be not the one one.

A whole technology of Black ladies noticed themselves mirrored in Ananda—sensible, grounded, trendy, and unapologetically actual. She first captured hearts within the late ’90s as a bunch of BET’s Teen Summit and rapidly grew to become some of the recognizable faces in media when she joined MTV in 1997. Internet hosting exhibits like TRL and Scorching Zone, Ananda was that lady – elegant, quick-witted, and at all times prepared when the cameras got here on.

Although she joked with me as soon as about not having grown up with cable (or seeing the exhibits she would later host), she grew to become the face of a few of its most iconic programming. Ananda related with audiences nationwide and interviewed among the greatest stars of the time – from Future’s Youngster and Britney Spears to Brandy and Hillary Clinton.

Ananda Lewis Makes use of Her Breast Most cancers Analysis To Empower Others & Increase Consciousness

In 2020, Ananda shared with the world that she had been recognized with breast most cancers – a deeply private revelation that grew to become a brand new chapter in her legacy. She defined that she had averted mammograms for years as a result of issues about radiation publicity.

RELATED: Ananda Lewis Opens Up About Her Battle With Stage 3 Breast Most cancers

However in true Ananda trend, she didn’t keep silent. As an alternative, she turned her story right into a platform, utilizing her voice to lift consciousness and urge different Black ladies to prioritize their well being.

Whilst her most cancers progressed to stage 4, Ananda stayed intentional. She selected a holistic strategy to care and was clear about not present process a double mastectomy regardless of medical suggestions. She targeted on eradicating toxins and sustaining what she outlined as a top quality of life. In February 2025, she printed a strong essay in Essence, the place she spoke overtly about her journey and the significance of listening to your physique:

“We aren’t meant to remain right here without end,” she wrote. “We come to this life, have experiences, after which we go. Being actual about that with your self modifications the way you select to dwell. I don’t wish to spend another minute than I’ve to struggling unnecessarily. That, for me, isn’t the standard of life I’m excited about. When it’s time for me to go, I need to have the ability to look again at my life and say I did precisely what I wished to.”

That quote captures the spirit of the lady so many knew and admired. Ananda lived by her personal guidelines.

Ananda Lewis’ Legacy Lives On

She was born in Los Angeles in 1973, attended an arts highschool, and graduated from Howard College. Her profession finally landed her first massive function on Teen Summit, however her affect prolonged past tv.

Those that labored along with her noticed firsthand how devoted she was to shifting conversations—particularly round Black ladies’s well being. She made area for the reality, even when it was laborious.

That’s how I got here to know her.

I had the chance to work along with her as she started sharing extra about her most cancers journey publicly. She was enthusiastic about getting in entrance of audiences that mattered—particularly Black ladies—and ensuring her story helped another person.

She leaves behind a legacy rooted in voice, imaginative and prescient, and affect. And for the ladies who grew up watching her – and for these of us who obtained to be taught from her, giggle along with her, and work along with her – immediately is hard.

Relaxation in energy, Ananda.

Scroll to see footage of Ananda by way of the years.

Ananda Lewis By means of The Years: Remembering Her Life, Legacy, Magnificence, & Energy 
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