How Did Anita Pointer Die? Everything About the American Singer

June 2024 · 5 minute read

Anita Pointer, an American singer-songwriter who gained notoriety in the 1970s as a member of the successful band the Pointer Sisters, passed away on Saturday, December 31st at the age of 74. She was one of the Grammy Award-winning singers whose hit singles included Automatic and I’m So Excited.

Let’s deep dive and understand about Anita Pointer, including who she was, how she died, what was the cause of her death, tributes for Anita Pointer, and much more!

Who Was Anita Pointer?

Anita Marie Pointer was born in Oakland, California, on January 23, 1948, to Reverend Elton & Sarah Pointer. Anita and her sisters used to sing in their father’s church as children. In the tenth grade, Anita played alto sax in the McRae High School band.

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A post shared by Anita Pointer (@anitapointerofficial)

In order to start the ‘Pointer Sisters’ with her younger sisters Bonnie, June, and Ruth, Anita resigned from her job as a secretary in 1969. Her siblings Ruth Pointer, Aaron Pointer, Fritz Pointer, and Roxie McKain Pointer are among those Anita leaves behind. The Pointer Sisters were established in 1969 by Anita, Bonnie, and June Pointer; their older sister Ruth joined in 1972. The initial trio of members has all passed away.

Jump (For My Love), one of their most well-known tracks, capitalized on the electro-pop craze of the early 1980s to become the best-selling American dance hit of that year. Years later, Girls Aloud managed to have success internationally with a rendition of the song. In spite of winning three Grammys, including one for Jump (For My Love), Anita left the band in 2015. In the US, The Pointer Sisters had a handful of top 10 singles.

Along with three Grammy awards, the group was honored in 1994 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fairytale: The Pointer Sisters’ Family Story is a book written by Anita Pointer and her brother Fritz that was published in 2020.

Also read: How Did Dwight Oltman Die? Everything About Founder of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra

How Did Anita Pointer Die? Cause of Death

On Saturday, December 31st, 2022, Anita Pointer sadly passed away at her Beverly Hills home while accompanied by her family, according to her spokesman Roger Neal.

Anita Pointer, 74, one of the Pointer Sisters, suddenly died and left us all heartbroken. Cancer was Anita Pointer’s cause of death, according to Nael. She was the lovely and sultry lead voice on many of the Pointer Sisters’ hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Reportedly, the final surviving member of the band’s original squad, Anita, has been battling cancer for the past few years. She had her glorious life cut short while her heroic fight against Cancer.

Jada, her daughter who passed away in 2003, also had pancreatic cancer. Later, The Pointer Sisters also created the enormously popular song “Jada” in honor of Jada, Anita’s daughter.

The Pointers Sisters also confirmed her passing through their official Twitter account,

Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters has passed at the age of 74. https://t.co/QwP03EaLGA pic.twitter.com/V7VOIFWkgu

— The Pointer Sisters (@PointerOfficial) January 1, 2023

Family’s Statement

Anita’s sister Ruth, brothers Aaron and Fritz, and granddaughter Roxie McKain Pointer, a Grammy-winning writer and performer who was a founding member of the original Pointer Sisters, issued the following statement:

“Though Anita’s departure has left us inconsolable, we are comforted by the fact that she is now at peace with her daughter Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie. She was the one who maintained our relationships and connections for such a long time. Anita’s love for our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy as we deal with loss and grief. Heaven is a more beautiful and caring place with Anita there.

Tributes for Anita Pointer

Farewell to legend Anita Pointer (January 23, 1948 – December 31, 2022) founding member of the Pointer Sisters. Her vocals shone in this live performance of their powerful anthem Yes We Can Can (1973) https://t.co/bCuVXH5i8g written by Allen Toussaint. #soul #funk #AnitaPointer pic.twitter.com/LUKW7mIpXj

— DJ Moon Ra (@JointzOfTheDay) January 1, 2023

Lonnell Williams tweeted, “She was a member of a trio that topped the charts and had a string of hit singles, so to the world…”

To the world, she was part of a chart topping trio with an arsenal of hits…to me she was my jr high school friend @DrGinaMalak’s bonus mom. Talented, kind and always a class act. Heartbroken by this loss. Rest well Miss Anita. #AnitaPointer #ThePointerSisters pic.twitter.com/KSyEFmLx1D

— Lonnell Williams (@3LWTV) January 1, 2023

An Emmy-winning host Josh Breslow, posted, “Anita Pointer, one of the four siblings who sang as The Pointer Sisters and achieved commercial and critical success, passed away on Saturday at 74, her publicist said.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Anita Pointer, one of four sibling singers who earned pop success and critical acclaim as The Pointer Sisters, died Saturday at the age of 74, her publicist announced. pic.twitter.com/kHFSo17sTo

— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowTV) January 1, 2023

Bright Light posted, “I was shocked to learn of Anita Pointer’s loss. She co-authored one of my favorite songs of all time, Could I Be Dreaming, and she penned Special Things alone on the album I love the most. I appreciate your incredible artistic talent.”

So sad to hear of the passing of Anita Pointer @PointerOfficial who co-wrote my all time favourite Could I Be Dreaming and solely wrote Special Things on my favourite album of theirs. Thank you for such brilliant artistry x pic.twitter.com/OAr4L6sYJY

— Bright Light Bright Light (@brightlightx2) January 1, 2023

We are also praying for Anita Pointers’ soul and asking God to give her family the support they need during this difficult time. You can continue to browse our website to read more articles of this kind.

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