Anita Sarawak

Anita Sarawak
Birth name Ithnaini binte Mohd Taib
Also known as Anita
Born (1952-03-23) 23 March 1952
Origin Singapore
Genres Jazz, pop
Occupation(s) Singer
Talk Show Host
Actress
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1969–present

Ithnaini binte Mohd Taib (born 23 March 1952), known professionally as Anita Sarawak is a Singapore-born singer, actress and talk show host.

Early years

Anita is the only child of actor and director S. Roomai Noor and actress Siput Sarawak. Her parents separated when she was very young, and she was allowed to meet her biological father only when she was 7 years old.

Career

At 15, Anita started performing at weddings and other functions. Anita first came to prominence at the age of 17, when she released her debut album With A Lot O’ Soul. In 1974, she released her first Malay album.

Throughout the 1970s, Anita actively promoted Singapore as a tourist destination through her performances. In 1974, she performed for a week in Hawaii; in 1975, she performed for nine days in West Germany; in 1976 in Monte Carlo for two weeks.[1]

In 1979, she launched a three-month performing tour of the United States, including shows in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.[2]

In 1985, she took off for Las Vegas and spent 18 years there performing at Caesars Palace.

Anita has also hosted The Anita Talkshow and Astana and acted in the telecomedy Ajensi Melor and the telemove Topeng (Mask). She also released a cookbook, Cooking with Love, in 2004.

Personal life

Anita has been married four times. She is currently married to Briton Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah (formerly Martin Cox), who is her manager. The couple first met in Las Vegas, and wed in 2001.[3]

In December 1972, Anita married Mohamed Abdul Samad. The couple divorced in August 1979.[4]

In October 1981, Anita married the Indonesian singer Broery Pesulima despite her father's objections. Broery is Christian while Anita was born to Islam. The couple later separated.[5]

In 1995, Anita was caught for close proximity (khalwat) with her third husband J.D.Nicholson, who she was engaged to at the time. Anita attended a hearing in court and paid a fine.[6]

In September 2009, Anita's husband Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah was attacked outside her stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum's home in Taman Melawati, Malaysia. Anita subsequently forgave the robbers.[7]

In February 2011, Anita collected the Legend Award for her mother, Siput Sarawak, at the Seri Temasek Awards. Anita said, "It was the proudest day of my life, an exceptional and emotional moment."[8]

In July 2013, Anita's stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum, a veteran Malaysian actress, died. Anita, who lives in the United States, could not return for the funeral.[9]

Selected discography

References

  1. ↑ "Anita flies off today to woo Monte Carlo jet-setters". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 21 November 1976. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  2. ↑ Tang, Geraldine (25 June 1979). "Anita is happy to be back from US". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Anita Sarawak: From stepdaughter to stepmother". AsiaOne. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Singer Anita Sarawak gets a divorce". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 29 August 1979. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Anita to wed despite father's objection". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 3 October 1981. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Shuib, Taib (13 November 2011). "Where is Anita Sarawak?". New Straits Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Alang, Bendahara (14 September 2009). "Anita Sarawak forgives robbers for attack". The New Straits Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Low, Minmin (21 July 2011). "S'pore icons star in free concert". Singapore Press Holdings. my Paper. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Actress Umi Kalthum, 81, dies". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
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