It was referred to as "gay cancer" but that's because so little was understood about the disease. The couple opened up about the impact the diagnosis had on their relationship in an interview with CBS Mornings' Gayle King that aired Thursday. Now they have been married for thirty years. This time, however, L.A. was defeated by Philadelphia, losing four consecutive games to the 76ers and winning none during the series. Everything Ive done in my lifetime after that involved whites. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is one of the most famous basketball players to ever play in the NBA. As a young girl I was proud because I thought my dad was a super hero, but as I got older I started to realize who he really was and it made me gain an even greater appreciation for him, she told CR Fashion Book in 2016. When did Magic Johnson and Cookie Kelly get married? He is bashful, however, when I ask about this and says only: Im happy Ive got a great life and that my kids are going to be fine.. During his 1991 press conference Johnson also made clear that his aspirations in business meant he simply had to go on living. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. "We both fell on our knees, and we started crying," she tells Robin Roberts. Weve lost too many lives that we shouldnt have lost with both Aids and Covid-19 Johnson. I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. She even released a book called Believing in Magic which highlighted the journeys theyve gone through together and how she dealt with the sad news. "Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life," he wrote. "I had to really learn a lot about the disease, HIV as well as AIDS. There are so many misconceptions out there, and because of that, it has caused so much discrimination. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. I mean, it was very early on.. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael . When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured. 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. February 18, 2022, 10:40 AM. Magic Johnson is rumoured to have hooked up with Kathleen Sullivan . It was so funny because every girl on campus wanted to meet him, Cookie recalls of their first encounter. In 1992, he had his latest book, My Life, published. Basketball legend Magic Johnson joins Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager ahead of the NBA All-Star game on Sunday. ", First published on November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM. And the medical experts Dr David Ho and Dr Anthony Fauci assured him that he could go on to live a healthy life. Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. We sit down and this guy says: Boy, what you want? he recalls. Cookie recounted her exact emotions when Magic told her in a 2016 interview with Good Morning America. "And that just broke her heart. The Lakers, however, took down the Celtics the following year in the Finals. As for children, Cookie and Magic have two named EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson. BASKETBALL legend, Magic Johnson has been married to his wife, Cookie, since 1991. Im not a go-back person. We're still those kids from Michigan. The latter became a media sensation after her relationship with the basketball icon. Magic Johnson relationship list. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, though he later returned in 1996 for one final season. Everything has gone right. Heres what you need to know about Cookie: #OnThisDay in 1991 NBA star Magic Johnson marries Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. Today, Johnson runs point in the boardroom as CEO of his namesake company, an investment company focused on providing high-quality products and services to underserved communities. How long have Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson been Married. At the time, many people thought the virus mostly affected homosexuals or intravenous drug users. Today, he remains one of the most famous people in the world living with the virus. Along with her husband she founded The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) which focuses on developing programs that encourage academic achievement while also promoting healthy lifestyles among underserved communities nationwide including HIV/AIDS awareness programs targeted toward urban youth populations. If you have new or updated information on Magic Johnson dating status, please send us a tip. "Because she had waited for me, been patient with me, supported me -- and now I'm about to break her heart. "I wore that white suit for a reason. Johnson was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. She said, I couldnt find jeans to fit my body type. Johnson, who was vaccinated in public in April to help combat hesitancy over the jab, feels history repeating itself with a sense of personal sadness. The wedding ceremony was attended by many famous personalities including other NBA superstars such as Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Thats who I am.. Steps Out in Public With New Boyfriend, Earlitha Kelly (Magic Johnson'un ei) Doum Y.: Doum T.: Ei: Magic Johnson (e. 1991)https://t.co/Or205EQKf5 pic.twitter.com/gz5H4jKPJ2, XKimdir (@xkimdircom) February 19, 2017, Cookie has become involved in various ventures in her life, one of which is a clothing line called CJ by Cookie Johnson., Cookies products largely include jeans because, as she wrote in her About Me on 6pm.com, she despaired over hte lakc of premium denim for women with a figure like hers. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. Her brand is sold in over 500 specialty stores in the United States. The couple has been married for 25 years and have three children together. . I felt bad for him. And so I just lost it right there, you know?". I thought he was going to take me to Arbys, she said. Had he grappled with his own mortality? Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. As you can see, Cookie Johnson has done a lot of good in her life. 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. There they faced off against the Indiana State Sycamores. Thats the country. Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. Lets just hope we get this one right, in the black and brown community, because we never really got HIV and Aids right.. Video related to cookie johnson, magics wife: 5 fast facts you need to know. Johnson went on to attack the HIV stigma with the same passion he displayed on the court, launching the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise awareness about the virus, then pushing Congress and the White House to spend money to fight the disease. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. I went to a club. I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. E.J. That real talk proved effective. So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". Rumours swirl that Johnsons wealth now exceeds $1bn. Initially, Cookie admittedly was not in favor of Magic holding the press conference announcing his HIV diagnosis due to the stigma surrounding the disease. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. In her interview with Mocha Man Style, Cookie revealed how they maintain their spark. He finally retired for good that same year, leaving behind an impressive legacy. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. . ohnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. Cookie stood by her husband's side all along, but she initially did not want him to hold the now-famous Nov. 7, 1991 news conference announcing his diagnosis and short-lived retirement because of the stigma surrounding AIDS. Game-changer Clients wait for a free HIV test at a mobile testing centre as part of the I Stand with Magic programme in Los Angeles in 2006. I often tell people when you make a mistake, you not only hurt yourself, but you hurt the ones that love you. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. The newlyweds had also just found out she was pregnant with their first child, E.J., now 24. Johnson recalls asking his doctor. With the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic, bringing him to Los Angeles. You know, he was changing the world. "The doctor tells you and you just laid on the floor. She has two siblings - an older sister Pat and a younger brother Harold Earl. At the time he learned he had the disease, his wife Cookie was pregnant with their first child. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Johnson then teamed up with his old rival Bird to write the 2009 book When the Game Was Ours, which explores their rivalry, their experiences on the court and the sport they love. In the above clip from "Oprah's Next Chapter," Johnson remembers that fateful day. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. At the time, Magic was in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the doctor didn't want to talk about it over the phone. Larry is a quiet guy and wants a quiet life. Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson have been a much-lauded couple for many years, and their story is worth being inspired by. ", "And that's why I came back," he said. And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers," she told King. Who is Magic Johnsons Wife, Earletha Cookie Johnson? When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Johnson and Cookie have one son, . EJ is a television celebrity, while Elisa has also made appearances on the big screen. His career in business did not begin in earnest until his second retirement in the mid-90s. The wedding was a long time in the making. Even one of his Olympic teammates, Karl Malone, expressed concern about having to play against Johnson after he got cut on the court during a game. But he still longed for the game of basketball, and his first retirement would not last long. "I was a broke college student, and so she had to use her book money so that we could order a pizza and . And that's what we did.". Magic and Cookie married in LA in September 1991. At the time, he was a big man on campus, and all of the girls in her dorm room were peering out of their windows waiting for him to pick her up. 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. Now, how can I help you?". Johnson and his team continued to be one of the NBA's top competitors throughout the rest of the 1980s. But she was able to meet with both of us and really help us, you know, really calm us down. During Johnson's third season (1981-1982) with the team, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again. I had to come to realize that this is who he is, and he's going to be happy. ", "I was just devastated because I thought I had did everything right," Johnson says. Magic Johnsons Son E.J. Undeterred, Johnson played in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Racial dynamics also played a part in the way some viewed their opposition (Bird is white). He believed he contracted the disease through unprotected sexual activity. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. / CBS News. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! When Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to his new wife, Cookie Johnson, in 1991, she didn't turn and run away. "At that time, people weren't educated, so they thought you couldn't touch people. Upon his return, Magic was told that he tested positive for HIV. Part of HuffPost News. There was also a lot of fear and confusion regarding how the disease could be transmitted. Now 61, he is one of those rare public figures who has redefined his purpose at different stages in life: first as an athlete, then as a public health advocate, and later as a successful businessman and philanthropist. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. His wife has also recently learned she was pregnant. "And they say, 'Hey, we ran the tests a couple of times, and yes, you do have HIV.' The diagnosis was especially hard for Johnson. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. She educated parents and caregivers on the importance of immunizing children in urban areas against various viruses. From winning five NBA titles to making 12 All-Star teams, his career was nothing short of amazing. and Elisa. He also made headlines when he came out publicly as gay back in April of 2013 during his sophomore year at New York University. It was like, I dont want you dancing with me. Andre is known for staying out of the public eye. (@elisajohnson) on May 28, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT, EJ was a star on the reality TV show, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.. What would he do next? It also dives deeper into their lives after Magic was hit with the devastating news. She has always been a woman of charitable interests. Both of them were set to go home for Christmas break the next day. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. And while his HIV is still undetectable, he must take his medication everyday. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. He then bought a small share of the team. "I wasn't sick." 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. 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. "He said, 'If you want to leave, you know, I don't blame you. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnson's kids total to two. He started comparatively small, with a minor investment in the LA Lakers that has since ballooned into a large investment portfolio, centred around sport teams in Los Angeles. And as time went on, it never changed.. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. 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. I'm Earvin. Cameras flashed and reporters clamoured to ask questions, but Johnson, National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar and one of the worlds most revered athletes, appeared unfazed as he announced his immediate retirement. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. We dont have to stay in touch with each other, thats not what we do, he says, describing a friendship forged in unique circumstances. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. I told you and my parents after three months of dating that you were going to be the one I was going to marry, Magic recalled in a 2019 Instagram post. She has since become known for her philanthropic work within various organizations. Magic Johnson is one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right Earvin Magic Johnson Jr at his offices in Los Angeles. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. The couple wed on Sept. 14, 1991, just 45 days before Magic revealed his diagnosis to his wife. March 6, 2022 Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. While their early days werent the easiest, the couple has stuck it out together and continues to be advocates against HIV/AIDS. "You're sitting there like, 'Man, how could this happen to me?' Ever since the day I laid eyes on you in 1978 I knew you were the one for me. Cookie joined her husband on stage for his announcement along with a specially selected outfit. "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. And he was like, "Love your child." Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed to the world in 1991 that he was HIV positive and retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. Fortunately, both his wife and their son, Earvin III, tested negative for HIV. The Day Magic Johnson Found Out He Was HIV-Positive. On October 24, 1991, he got a call from the Lakers physician asking him to come home right away. I guess now I get to enjoy some of the other sides of living.. Earletha Cookie Johnson was born on January 20, 1959, in Alabama. ", In a 2021 interview with Gayle King on CBS, he explained how his decision and diagnosis weighed on his relationship with Cookie. We're gonna figure out how to beat this thing,'" she recalled. For the second time in his pro career, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers for the championship title. It was preceded by the 6 January insurrection in Washington DC, after which the FBI charged a number of militiamen with plotting to kidnap Michigans Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Additionally, Johnson, who scored 13 points and added 13 rebounds with 13 assists in Game 6 of the 1982 Finals, earned his second series MVP award. But instead, he was among Lansings first students to be bussed across the city to a majority white high school, Everett, on the south side. Sometimes were going in different directions and its so important for marriages to find that time to reconnect., Joshua Jackson Reveals How His Wife Really Feels About His Sex Scenes, Lukas Gage & Chris Appletons Relationship Timeline Is Short AF, Drake Bell's Wife Janet Von Schmeling Files For Divorce, Rachel Weisz & Daniel Craigs Relationship Timeline Includes Babies & Broadway, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. At the centre was Johnson, the tallest point guard in NBA history (2.06 metres; 6ft 9ins), whose adaptability, court vision and creativity fundamentally transformed the position. Were finally starting to understand that. He created Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has a variety of holdings. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. Together, Magic and Cookie have been blessed with two children Earvin III (also known as EJ) who was born on June 4, 1992, and Elisa who was born on December 21, 1995. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. And that's what I love about him. 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Cookie Johnson shares the story from her perspective in her new memoir, "Believing in Magic." There was, of course, his wife, Cookie the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. We have a long way to go. Among them was the 1979 NBA Draft first overall pick, Irvin "Magic" Johnson. I just thought forget it. And I was still trying to figure it out. In the years following Magics diagnosis, he and Cookie have remained active in combating HIV and AIDS. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He said, Yes, I will. I gave him the number and literally the day I set foot back on campus he called me., In the same interview, Cookie recounted her first date with Magic. Johnson was instrumental in bringing LeBron James to the Lakers in 2018, and part of his pitch to James was that James would be able to use the city as a base to further his business interests, which now include his own media company and investments in sports clubs, including Liverpool Football Club. He has a combination of both of us, Magic said. Even though Johnson had not played a single regular season game, fans voted him onto the NBA All-Star team in 1992. uring his 1991 press conference Johnson also made clear that his aspirations in business meant he simply had to go on living. It was one of the hardest days of his life; he later disclosed he contracted HIV from unprotected sex. While Johnson can now attest to 30 years of life after being diagnosed with HIV, his journey living with the disease has been far from easy. The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team. And what does this mean, of course. Please enter valid email address to continue. He also became part-owner of the minor league Dayton Dragons and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. Theres no way hes going to pick me over all these other women.. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. — -- Magic Johnson's wife, Cookie Johnson, recalls the moment her NBA star husband told her the devastating news that he was HIV-positive. After selling his stake in the Lakers in 2010, Johnson joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. We see each other at events. Public perception about the disease at the time was widely regarded with ignorance. Cookie also has authored a best-selling book about her and Magic Johnsons life named Believing in Magic. went public with his sexual orientation in 2013 and owned his public debut as the news was picked up by entertainment sites. Magic became a father in 1981 when his then-girlfriend, Melissa Mitchell, gave birth to a baby boy. A post shared by Elisa J. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Youve made me a better man, person, husband, father, and businessman. In the clip below, Cookie opens up about how Magic broke off their wedding twice before they wed in 1991, saying, "I was close to a nervous breakdown, I felt.". There was a lot of breaking up and getting back together, a lot of ups and downs. And she wanted me to go public. Johnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. No matter where you turned, whether I was coached by one, whether they owned the team I played for, or the partnerships I was trying to create in business everywhere you turned, it was somebody white in charge.. "It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Cookie had been pregnant when Magic broke the news to her, but both have since been given the all clear on a potential diagnoses. From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. The couple have two children together, Earvin Johnson III(EJ) and Elisa Johnson. Cookie was also pregnant at the time, which certainly scared her. I know when I come here [home], I'm not Magic. (modern). Please logout and login again. We had a great time. "That was a difficult day.". Johnson also shared her heartache as she waited behind closed doors as her husband made phone calls to the various women he had slept with. "And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers. Cookie serves on the organizations board of directors. Lansing, like most large cities in the midwest, was de facto segregated. When Johnson first heard the news, he was "devastated," he said. "There wasn't a lot of knowledge back in 1991.". He's very intelligent, and his mindset is like his dad's. She wrote her booka few years back, which discusses her choice to stay by her husbands side during his HIV diagnosis instead of leaving. E.J., when he walks in a room, this is the most confident guy. Ebony magazine has tapped Magic & Cookie Johnson for the cover of their July issue, and the couple gave an exclusive interview covering an array of topics ranging from the recent drama surrounding Donald Sterling, to wealth building. No. I'm only as good as Cookie.. The following season (1982-1983) saw the third Finals match-up between the Lakers and the 76ers in four years. The Celtics beat the Lakers in a tight competitionfour games to threefor the 1984 championship. Magic Johnson Wife . But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her.". Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson have been married for 31 years since 14th Sep 1991. view relationship. Cause he never said anything to me the entire night, she explained. Bird was one of the first NBA players Johnson called to inform him of his HIV diagnosis. Kelly had virtually remained quiet on the issue for 16 years, but in an interview on NBCs Today Show, the couple spoke out against the fatal disease. E.J. The couple has been together on and off for over four decades. They met at a party in their freshman year at Michigan State in 1977. I've been in nine [NBA] Finals, so I know pressure. On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that . November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. Johnson's son Earvin III was born in 1992. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. It was tough, because Cookie was afraid of what might happen, the backlash if we went public. It was partly realising the publics general ignorance about the virus that spurred him into a career of advocacy work. Johnsons father didnt fly, so the family would drive 900 miles (1,450km) on a two-day trip. ", We know that religion says no and I did have a big problem with that and I prayed about it a lot, Cookie said. His public appearances always make Johnson smile, but his treatment by former president Donald Trump, who often outwardly shunned the countrys foremost infectious disease expert, was infuriating. The One Thing That Almost Cost Magic Johnson His Marriage. "The worst thing about it is I knew I was going to hurt her," he says. I mean, I had just found out I was pregnant so it was really early in the pregnancy," she said. "I'm asking him 100 times, 'Are you sure?'" .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Nat Sweetwater Cliftons First NBA Season, The True Story of the Michael Jordan Film Air, Michael Jordans Two Requests for The Movie Air, What Sonny Vaccaro Did After Nike Air Jordan Deal, Get to Know NCAA Tournament Star Caitlin Clark. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood.
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