Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ and television host, passed away on June 11 at the age of 52.
Following the news of her death, many are reflecting on her legacy, her relationship with Will Smith’s brother Harry Smith, their son Langston, and her courageous fight against cancer.
How Many Children Did Ananda Lewis Have?
Ananda Lewis had one child. In 2011, she and Harry Smith welcomed their son, Langston. The couple maintained a relatively private life as parents, though Harry recently shared a sweet birthday message celebrating Langston turning 14 on March 17.
“I can’t believe it, he’s almost my height and weight. Langston, it’s been a true honor to watch you learn and grow, and become an absolutely incredible young man and overall human being. I’ve never met anyone with such a pure heart, and desire to help others in need. I’m proud beyond words and I want you to know that I am not just your father, but a friend, an ally, and a partner for life! Stay strong, stay sweet, and you’re beautiful on the inside and out. I love you son and Happy Birthday.”
Relationship with Harry Smith, Brother of Will Smith
Ananda was reportedly married to Harry Smith, CEO of Smith Global Media and the younger brother of actor Will Smith. The two were together for about a decade before going their separate ways.
In a personal essay for Essence earlier this year, she opened up about the end of their relationship, sharing that she was “managing the major stress of ending a 10-year relationship with the man I loved—my son’s father” while also battling cancer.
Her Public Cancer Journey
Ananda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and later revealed the disease had progressed to Stage 4. She opted for holistic treatments and chose not to undergo the double mastectomy recommended by her doctor and focused on lifestyle changes.
“I dove into the research and learned that environmental and lifestyle factors influence 90 percent of what causes cancer. So I stopped drinking alcohol. I stopped consuming sugar. I did a cleanse to get the buildup of toxins in my body out. I began to shift the way I manage stress. My goal was to do things that supported my body’s ability to continue to be whole enough to heal, instead of destroying it up front.”
On June 11, her family confirmed the heartbreaking news of her passing in a social media post. Ananda was 52.
Her sister, Lakshmi Lewis, wrote: “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms. Lord rest her soul,” she wrote alongside a black and white photo of Ananda.
