RIP

Jacksons Publicist Florence “Flo” Anthony Dead at 74

Sandra Rose
Flo Anthony attends a luncheon at The Pierre Hotel on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Radio host, columnist, author and publicist Florence “Flo” Anthony passed away on Thursday, August 6. She was 74.

Photo of Flo Anthony
Undated photo of Flo Anthony in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo: Flo Anthony)

Flo, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, moved to New York after graduating from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She had dreams of acting on the big screen, but she pivoted to journalism instead.

Flo Anthony worked as a publicist for the Jackson family, as well as sports legends like Muhammad Ali, Butch Lewis, Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes, Mike McCallum and Matthew Saad Muhammad.

Later, Flo Anthony broke barriers to become the first Black gossip columnist at the New York Post’s Page Six.

Flo was friends with everyone from Michael Jackson and O.J. Simpson to Whitney Houston and Donald Trump.

She also contributed to Inside Edition, The Insider and Entertainment Tonight. Flo worked in radio on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show with her segment “Gossip to go with Flo.”

Flo Anthony appeared on E! True Hollywood Story episodes on celebrities like La Toya Jackson, Robin Givens, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown and countless others.

Flo was editor in chief and publisher of Black Noir magazine.

Flo Anthony and Michael Spinks at Vaucluse on April 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Flo and boxer Michael Spinks were married on January 6, 2026, at the courthouse in New York City after dating since 1987.

CNN entertainment journalist Lisa Respers France paid tribute to Anthony in a post on Instagram. “As a Black woman who covers pop culture, I am deeply indebted to Florence ‘Flo’ Anthony, a syndicated columnist and author who did more than just cover gossip. She was so important to the culture.”

“I did not choose the path of columnist, novelist, nor journalism,” Flo Anthony wrote. “I moved to New York City after I graduated from Howard University to become an actress. However, God saw a different journey for me to embark upon, and journalism chose me. Always walk in the light that God is shining on you, and success will be yours.”

Photo of Flo Anthony

ADVERTISEMENT

Celebrity Style