Anita Bryant, a singer and beauty queen who had a strong and flourishing musical career in the 1960s and 1970s that included hits like "Paper Roses," has died at the age of 84.
Bryant was pilloried for her comments against gay rights - she called homosexuality "gross," and it practically destroyed her career.
The death at her Edmond, Oklahoma, home was caused by cancer, according to her son William Green. The family published an obituary in the Oklahoman, an Oklahoma City newspaper.
Bryant was just 18 years old when she won the Miss Oklahoma title and was named runner-up in the Miss America pageant. She quickly parlayed her success into a lucrative career in show business.
For nearly two decades, she worked seamlessly - entertaining soldiers during U.S. tours with Bob Hope, performing during Billy Graham's gospel tours and co-hosting nationally televised parades. She sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at President Lyndon B. Johnson's grave. Johnson. | BGNES
