Date of Birth: March 25, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: *Not applicable (as of the latest update in 2023)*
Biography
Anita Jane Bryant is an American singer and former beauty queen known for her string of pop hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Bryant rose to fame after winning the Miss Oklahoma pageant in 1958 and subsequently finishing as the second runner-up in the Miss America pageant. Her musical career took off with hits like “Till There Was You” and “Paper Roses.” In addition to her singing career, Bryant became a controversial figure in the 1970s for her outspoken opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. She led the “Save Our Children” campaign, which sought to repeal local ordinances in Dade County, Florida, that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. Her activism significantly affected her career, leading to boycotts and the eventual decline of her public popularity. Despite the controversies, Bryant has left a lasting legacy in both music and American social history. She has authored several books and continues to be a polarizing figure in discussions about civil rights and freedom of speech.
5 Interesting Facts about Anita Bryant
1. Anita Bryant was the second runner-up in the Miss America pageant in 1959.
2. She had multiple top 40 hits, including “Paper Roses” which later became a hit for Marie Osmond.
3. Bryant was a popular spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission, famously known for the slogan “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”
4. Her “Save Our Children” campaign in the 1970s led to the repeal of a Miami-Dade County ordinance that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation.
5. Bryant’s activism against LGBTQ+ rights led to significant backlash and boycotts, severely impacting her career and financial standing.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anita Bryant
1. “I’m not a woman who is embarrassed to cry. I’m not a woman who is embarrassed to say, ‘I love you.’”
2. “As a mother, I know that homosexuals cannot biologically reproduce children; therefore, they must recruit our children.”
3. “I don’t hate homosexuals. I love homosexuals. I love them enough to tell them the truth.”
4. “I believe in the Bible, and I believe it says that homosexuality is a sin.”
5. “I was not coming out against the homosexuals, but against their actions.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Anita Bryant’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million.
Children
Anita Bryant has four children from her marriage to Bob Green: Robert Jr., Gloria, Billy, and Barbara. The couple divorced in 1980.
Relevant Links
1. [Anita Bryant – Biography on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0117178/
2. [Anita Bryant’s Wikipedia Page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Bryant
3. [Anita Bryant on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anita-bryant-mn0000910086
