Controversial Singer Dies at 84

Anita Bryant, who was known for her diverse career from beauty pageants and popular songs to becoming a controversial figure in the American culture battles, passed away on December 16, 2024. She died at her residence in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 84. The demise was due to cancer, as stated by her family in The Oklahoman.

Bryant’s career started in her childhood in Oklahoma when she hosted her own local TV show at 12. Winning the Miss Oklahoma title in 1958 boosted her career and she subsequently ventured into the music industry. She recorded several hit songs like “Till There Was You,” “Paper Roses,” and “My Little Corner of the World.” Her strong Christian beliefs were reflected in her music, earning her three Grammy nominations – two in the best sacred performance category and one in the best spiritual performance category.

By the end of the 1960s, Bryant emerged as a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. She joined comedian Bob Hope on USO tours for troops abroad and gave performances at the White House. In 1968, she performed at both the Democratic and Republican national conventions. She is also remembered for her role as the spokesperson for Florida orange juice, where she coined the famous phrase, “A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”

Bryant also sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s graveside, reflecting the wide popularity she enjoyed during this period.

In 1977, Bryant’s public persona underwent a major shift when she spearheaded the “Save Our Children” campaign to overturn a non-discrimination ordinance in Miami-Dade County, Florida. With the support of Reverend Jerry Falwell, she openly opposed gay rights nationwide. “She won the campaign, but she lost the battle in time,” commented Tom Lander, an LGBTQ+ activist and board member of Safe Schools South Florida.

This stance led to a significant backlash. Activists initiated boycotts against products she promoted, designed merchandise to mock her, and even named a drink after her – a screwdriver variant where apple juice replaced orange juice. An activist pushed a pie into her face during an event in Iowa.

The controversy took a toll on Bryant’s entertainment career. She lost her contract with the Florida Citrus Commission, faced a reduction in concert bookings, and ultimately declared bankruptcy. Her marriage to her first husband, Bob Green, ended in divorce.

In 1998, the Miami-Dade County ordinance she had campaigned against was reinstated. Bryant spent her later years in Oklahoma, running Anita Bryant Ministries International. Her second husband, NASA test astronaut Charles Hobson Dry, predeceased her in April 2024.

Bryant is survived by four children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.

━ latest articles

━ explore more

━ more articles like this