Anita Bryant, Former Miss Oklahoma and Singer, Passes Away at 84

New York — Anita Bryant, a celebrated figure known for her accomplishments as a former Miss Oklahoma, a Grammy-nominated vocalist, and as a staunch advocate for orange juice and various products, passed away at the age of 84. Her family confirmed she passed away at her residence in Edmond, Oklahoma, on December 16, as reported by a statement shared on The Oklahoman news website. The family did not disclose the cause of her death.

Born in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Bryant showcased her singing talent from a young age, launching her own local television show at just 12 years old. After being crowned Miss Oklahoma in 1958, she embarked on a fruitful recording career. Among her most popular songs were “Till There Was You,” “Paper Roses,” and “My Little Corner of the World.” A devout Christian, Bryant received multiple Grammy nominations, including two for best sacred performance and one for best spiritual performance for her album “Anita Bryant … Naturally.”

By the late 1960s, she was a well-known entertainer, participating in Bob Hope’s USO tours for troops stationed overseas. Her performances graced the White House and both the Democratic and Republican national conventions in 1968. In addition to her singing career, she became a prominent commercial spokesperson, best recognized for her iconic slogan, “A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine,” in her ads promoting Florida orange juice.

However, in the late 1970s, Bryant’s life took a dramatic turn as she became increasingly unhappy with societal changes. She led a successful initiative to repeal a Miami-Dade County ordinance that aimed to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation. With the backing of figures like Rev. Jerry Falwell, her coalition, “Save Our Children,” mounted significant opposition to gay rights, condemning the LGBTQ+ community and their lifestyles.

This activism sparked significant backlash against Bryant, leading to organized boycotts of her endorsed products, the creation of mocking T-shirts, and a beverage named in her honor, which used apple juice in place of orange juice. On one occasion, an activist even threw a pie in her face during an event in Iowa. Her career began to wane as she faced public contempt, her first marriage to Bob Green ended, and she subsequently filed for bankruptcy.

In Florida, Bryant’s actions had both a lasting impact and opposition. In 1998, the ban on sexual orientation discrimination was reinstated. Tom Lander, an LGBTQ+ advocate and board member of Safe Schools South Florida, remarked that while Bryant succeeded in her campaign, she “lost the battle in time.” He further noted that today’s “parental rights” movements linking to recent book bans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Florida bear resemblance to Bryant’s past activism, especially those driven by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty.

In her later years, Bryant resided in Oklahoma, where she oversaw Anita Bryant Ministries International. Her second husband, astronaut Charles Hobson Dry, passed away the previous year. According to her family’s statement, she leaves behind four children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.