Ananda Lewis of MTV Fame Passes Away at Age 52

Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ, has passed away at the age of 52. The news of her death was shared by Lakshmi Emory, whom Lewis had previously referred to as a “phenomenal sister” in a heartfelt birthday message.

In a Facebook post dated June 11, Emory expressed her sorrow, writing, “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms,” alongside a black-and-white photo of Lewis. However, no further details regarding the cause of death were disclosed.

Lewis gained widespread recognition in the late 1990s as a prominent figure on MTV, hosting shows such as “Total Request Live” and “Hot Zone,” as well as her own talk show, “The Ananda Lewis Show,” which premiered in 2001. She faced a personal battle with Stage 3 breast cancer, diagnosed in 2019.

Despite doctors recommending a double mastectomy, Lewis chose to pursue alternative treatments instead. In an op-ed for Essence in January 2025, Lewis discussed her approach to managing her diagnosis.

She experimented with various alternative methods, including eliminating alcohol and sugar from her diet, monthly ultrasounds, high-dose vitamin C IVs, hyperbaric chamber sessions, and practicing qigong. During the Covid-19 pandemic, her condition worsened, leading her to undergo genetically targeted fractionated chemotherapy—an innovative approach that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

By October 2023, it was confirmed that her cancer had advanced to Stage 4. In her Essence article, Lewis reflected on her health journey and expressed regret for not participating in regular mammograms due to fears of radiation exposure.

She emphasized the importance of women stay informed and proactive about their health, urging them to learn from her experiences. “Do everything in your power to avoid my story becoming yours,” she advised, highlighting the value of knowledge and preventive measures for maintaining health.