Ananda Lewis March 21, 1973 – June 11, 2025 born in San Diego, California, on March 21, 1973 – June 11, 2025, Ananda Lewis was of African-American and Native American roots, with family ties to the Creek and Blackfeet tribes. Her name, “Ananda,” means “bliss” in Sanskrit. She started out in entertainment as a child performer and grew into one of the most familiar faces on youth TV, especially through MTV and BET.
Amanda Lewis Profile
| Name | Ananda Lewis |
| Real Name | Ananda Lewis |
| Date of Birth | 21 March 1973 |
| Date of Death | 11 June 2025 (52 years) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Journalist, Human rights activist |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Ananda grew up in San Diego and attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts from a young age. She went on to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she graduated cum laude in 1995 with a degree in history.
Career
Ananda first became known to audiences on BET’s Teen Summit, where she connected with young people on serious topics. She then moved to MTV, where she hosted popular shows like Total Request Live, Hot Zone, and TRL. In 2001, she left MTV to launch The Ananda Lewis Show, a daytime talk show.
Outside TV, she acted in films like On the Line and Nora’s Hair Salon II, and appeared in the sitcom Method & Red. In later years, she trained as a carpenter and returned to TV in 2019 to co-host the home makeover show While You Were Out on TLC.
She also received recognition for her work, including an NAACP Image Award for her documentary True Life: I Am Driving While Black.
Controversies
Ananda made headlines in 2020 when she revealed she had been living with breast cancer for two years. Her choice to delay traditional treatment and pursue alternative methods sparked public debate. She later admitted she regretted not agreeing to the surgery doctors had recommended earlier on.
Ananda Lewis Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/imanandalewis/?hl=en
Personal Life
Ananda had one son, Langston, born in 2011. His father is Harry Smith, the brother of actor Will Smith. She had a close relationship with her sister, Lakshmi, a doctor, and described her mother and grandmother as her main influences. She also had a strong friendship with singer Aaliyah before her passing in 2001. Ananda lived in the San Fernando Valley in California until her death.
Ananda Lewis Net Worth
At the time of her passing, Ananda Lewis was estimated to have a net worth of around $1.5 Million.
Death
Amanda Lewis revealed in October 2020 that she had been battling stage 3 breast cancer for two years. She initially avoided mammograms due to fear of radiation, which delayed her diagnosis. In 2024, she confirmed her cancer had progressed to stage 4 and had spread to her bones and spine.
She tried both medical treatments and natural methods, including vitamin therapy, healthy eating, and alternative therapies. Ananda passed away on June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. Her sister Lakshmi shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post, calling her “free and in His heavenly arms.”