It was everything rolled into one. While their early days werent the easiest, the couple has stuck it out together and continues to be advocates against HIV/AIDS. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? The Shady Side Of Magic Johnson - NickiSwift.com Tall order Johnson shoots for Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in c 1977 in East Lansing, Michigan. If you have new or updated information on Magic Johnson dating status, please send us a tip. Larry is a quiet guy and wants a quiet life. You couldn't hug people. press conference in Inglewood, California, Johnson, National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar, outwardly shunned the countrys foremost infectious disease expert, killed at a racially disproportionate rate, Johnson, who was vaccinated in public in April, protesting against Covid-19 lockdown laws, to use the city as a base to further his business interests. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael Mellman could deliver the news in person. Trump asks for mistrial in E. 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Zooey Zephyr disciplined by GOP-controlled state House, GOP lawmakers seek "disciplinary consequences" for Montana transgender lawmaker. "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. And while his HIV is still undetectable, he must take his medication everyday. The couple has three children together: Andre, EJ, and Elisa. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. He was so full of life. "You just sit there and say, what does this mean? Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. His oldest son Andre is also an entrepreneur who worked first for his fathers Magic Johnson Enterprises and then later became the Vice President of Business Development at Mythical Games. "Because she had waited for me, been patient with me, supported me -- and now I'm about to break her heart. He knows what he wants. She also successfully launched CJ by Cookie Johnson denim line catered towards women who desire fashionable clothing options available beyond size zero standards often seen within mainstream brands; empowering these same demographics financially through employment opportunities via production facilities located domestically provides economic growth potentiality serving could-be overlooked audiences. On November 7th, 1991, Earvin "Magic" Johnson sent shockwaves through the basketball community and the world when he announced his abrupt retirement from basketball due to contracting HIV. Although Andre was raised by his mother, he visited Johnson each summer, and later worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises as a marketing director. The couple has been together on and off for over four decades. His career in business did not begin in earnest until his second retirement in the mid-90s. February 18, 2022, 10:40 AM. And I was very upset at the backlash 'cause I just played with a lot of the guys who didn't want me to come back," Johnson said. E.J. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs, he says. Magic and Cookie married in LA in September 1991. Now, how can I help you?". Lansing, like most large cities in the midwest, was de facto segregated. The Lakers, however, took down the Celtics the following year in the Finals. Cookie joined her husband on stage for his announcement along with a specially selected outfit. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. After years of unsuccessful dieting, EJ Johnson underwent gastric sleeve surgery when he was 22 years old. The announcement, 20 years ago today, came as a shock: "Because of the HIV virus I have obtained, I will have to retire today from the Lakers," Earvin "Magic" Johnson, with his wife Cookie . He is also a published author. When Johnson broke the news to her, Cookie knew it was "probably through sexual contact," since he hadn't had any blood transfusions, but she was worried about something else. Magic Johnson opens up on living with HIV 30 years after his diagnosis 'Cookie' Johnson, Magic's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know EJ Johnson - Wikipedia Her fathers name is Earl and her mothers name is Cora. Advertisement Lakers champion Magic Johnson found a brilliant woman, Cookie, to call his own in 1991. There was a lot of breaking up and getting back together, a lot of ups and downs. According to Cookie, that was the moment she fell in love with him. ", In a 2021 interview with Gayle King on CBS, he explained how his decision and diagnosis weighed on his relationship with Cookie. "That was a difficult day.". But his professional career was also defined by a bitter rivalry with the Boston Celtics star player Larry Bird, who had been his competitor since college. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. He had married his long-time girlfriend Cookie in September of that year and they were expecting a baby. "I wanted to make sure that she was gonna be OK, the baby was gonna be OK, and then I could move forward with trying to make sure I was gonna be OK.". You know, why is he in there so long?' He had a passion for basketball and would start practicing as early as 7:30 a.m. At Everett High School, Johnson earned his famous nickname, "Magic," after a sportswriter witnessed him compile 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists in a single game. Were finally starting to understand that. It was referred to as "gay cancer" but that's because so little was understood about the disease. "And she smacked me upside my head and said, 'We're going to beat this together. Johnson formally returned to the Lakers in early 2017 as president of basketball operations. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography ", "I didn't have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. We cant be cheering for Boston, those white guys, he recalls them saying. "I wanted to make sure that she was going to be okay, the baby was going to be okay, and then I can move forward with making sure I was going to be okay," the former Lakers president said. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cookie Johnson's estimated worth is about $50 million. That same year, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. The Magic Johnson Foundation was formed in 1991 to address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Magic Johnson's wife: Cookie Johnson - ClutchPoints Magic has another son from another woman, 35-year old Andre. I probably wouldnt be here. I hope we can turn a corner. Cookie had been pregnant when Magic broke the news to her, but both have since been given the all clear on a potential diagnoses. Like Magic, Cookie attended and graduated from Michigan State University. Earlitha Cookie Kelly and Earvin Magic Johnson (Getty). Cookie also has authored a best-selling book about her and Magic Johnsons life named Believing in Magic. She even released a book called "Believing in Magic" which. We always went to the movies once a week, she said. How Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? What We Know - Distractify E.J. In one of the most famous matchups in college basketball history, Johnson went head-to-head with Indiana's star forward, .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Larry Bird. 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Theyve continued the tradition long into their marriage, making time for a date each Friday night. "I wore that white suit for a reason. The newlyweds had also just found out she was pregnant with their first child, E.J., now 24. His wife has also recently learned she was pregnant. But the toughest part of his diagnosis, he said, was to drive home and tell his wife. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. But I also knew that Earvin didn't understand. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. So they thought you couldn't touch people, you couldn't hug people," she said. While Magic testing positive for HIV was devastating, its given Cookie a platform to make a difference. Part of HuffPost News. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It was a seismic moment, not only in the history of basketball, but in the continuing war on HIV and Aids, as an athlete of Johnsons stature vowed in public to raise awareness about the virus. Before taking on a more prominent role with her husband, Cookie also served as spokeswoman for the National Medical Association Immunization Public Service Announcement. I felt bad for him. Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. And he was like, "Love your child." I just thought forget it. We're gonna figure out how to beat this thing,'" she recalled. I have pictures of all the Little League stuff I put him in and the baseball teams and the football teams. Johnson and his wife, Cookie Johnson (Earlitha Kelly Johnson) have been married for 25 years and have been active philanthropists and have lived worked toward combating HIV in the years after Magics diagnosis announcement. Magic Johnson has been living with HIV for nearly 0 years and thanks to advances in medical science the disease is now more manageable than it was when he first revealed his diagnosis. Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle When Johnson first heard the news, he was "devastated," he said. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood.
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