'She's free': Family announce MTV star Ananda Lewis has died of breast cancer aged 52 after five year battle

The TV star - who became known for her appearances as an MTV VJ in the late 1990s - revealed in 2020 that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and on Wednesday evening, (June 11), it was announced that she had passed away.

Her sister Lakshmi wrote on Facebook: "She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord, rest her soul."

As well as her sister, Ananda is also survived by her 14-year-old son, who she shared with Harry Smith.

In October 2024, Ananda - who opted not to have a double mastectomy - revealed that the cancer had progressed to stage four and regretted not taking medical advice.

She told CNN in what became her final television appearance: "My plan at first was to get out excessive toxins in my body. I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made.

“I decided to keep my tumour and try to work it out of my body a different way. . . . I wish I could go back. It’s important for me to admit where I went wrong with this."

Ananda first became known in 1997 when she began presenting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone for MTV before going on to front her eponymous talk show in 2001. However, the show went to air just one day before the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place in New York, and ratings quickly fell so it was cancelled after one season.

Ananda was also the host of The Insider for Entertainment Tonight for a period of time and spoke to A-Listers such as Destiny’s Child, Brandy, NSYNC, and Britney Spears.

Many fans left tributes on Ananda’s Instagram page. One said: “Ananda you’ll truly be missed. Angel on Earth.” One more said: “I came here to pay respect and ended up getting a jewel.Be Blessed Ananda may you Be Blessed.” A third person wrote: “ Ananda, thank you for being such a beautiful spirit in this world. You’ve always been such an inspiration . . . Rest is peace beautiful soul.”