Anita Baker reached unprecedented heights during her many years as a successful R&B singer in the music industry. Like many others, her rise to fame wasn’t the result of an easy journey. She faced many obstacles along the way. In fact, the singer has shared details about the family secrets she was plagued with for many years and how she managed to overcome. You won’t believe all Anita’s been through.

The Family Secret About Her Birth Mom Caused Years Of Pain

Many fans probably have no idea Anita Baker’s mother gave her up for adoption when she was just a baby. The daunting realization of her mother’s decision actually made her question her worth and the purpose of her life. During an interview with Essence, she spoke openly about her life:

“It started with the fact that my mother gave me up when I was a baby,” she said. “Not because she was a bad person or because she was some monster or something. She was just a child and could not care for me. It has taken me a long time to find peace within my own heart.”

BUT THERE IS WAY MORE TO ANITA BAKER’S STORY…

“That Child Believed Her Mother Abandoned Her”

JRank reported that the woman Anita once believed was her mother, was a woman by the name of Mary Lewis. Although it was never publicly confirmed who Mary actually was, it wasn’t until Anita was 13 years old (when Mary died), that she found out she was actually a foster child; and Mary was her foster parent.

The publication also stated that Anita’s aunt, Lois Landry, was the beautician who Anita reportedly thought was originally her older sister. But after Mary’s passing, Lois reportedly informed Anita that she was her aunt and that she was actually given away by her birth mother, to Mary. Afterwards, Lois and her husband, Walter Landry, officially adopted little Anita and raised her as their own. Anita now refers to Lois as her “earth Mother,” as she explained to Essence:

“That child believed her mother abandoned her,” [Anita Baker] said (referring to herself), “because there was something bad about her. Something terrible that made her unlovable. And until Walter [Baker’s then husband], that is how I felt about me—that I was not good enough. Not good, period.”

“It started with the fact that my mother gave me up when I was a baby,” she says of the event that made her question her own worth and try to prove herself all her life. “Not because she was a bad person or because she was some monster or something. She was just a child and could not care for me. It has taken me a long time to find peace within my own heart.” (via JRank)

What Happened When Anita’s “Earth Mother” Fell Severely Ill

Despite her humble beginnings, Anita was blessed to be adopted by a loving family and she managed to prevail. However, for every level of success, there are oftentimes more problems. Anita revealed the parental battle she faced after rising to success. Whenever she’d have music obligations, her adopted mother would unfortunately become ill:

“Every time I would leave to do music, my mother would go into the hospital,” [Anita Baker] said. “And eventually I decided, you know what, I’m not leaving, because it’s just not worth it to me to leave her.”

So she came up with what she believed would be a solution to the problem:

“I set up a studio at home. My producer would be flying in, and we’d be in the middle of something, and I would get a call from the hospital, and I’d have to go.”

It’s A New Day Now!

Now, those painful days are behind the “Sweet Love” songstress and she’s living her best life at 65 years young.

We appreciate Anita’s honesty. Her story has probably just helped someone else out there who may be dealing with any doubtful feelings about their own self-worth.

When I listen to her music now, the pain I feel in her voice, seems that much more real and relatable. Much respect to Anita for pouring her soul/pain into her work. Her music has helped her fans get through tough times, and also helped many folks make a few babies along the way, LOL. Gotta love the power of REAL R&B music!