His wife has also recently learned she was. 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.. Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. He would sit on the couch and watch the Lakers play, thinking, "I should be there," he recalls. "This woman here, God let me know why I married her, why he brought us together, Cookie told Roberts. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years. And while his HIV is still undetectable, he must take his medication everyday. / CBS News. 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. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. "And [Glaser] said, 'One thing I want you to do and that's be the face of it.' Cookie recounted her exact emotions when Magic told her in a 2016 interview with Good Morning America. It was nothing but a strong sense of trust and commitment that kept them from calling it quits on their relationship. It scared me to death, she said. Magic and Cookie married in LA in September 1991. Yet despite the rivalry, Johnson and Bird eventually became close friends, so the story goes, after Birds mother cooked Johnson lunch during the filming of a 1985 Converse shoe advert starring them both. Johnson explored other options after leaving basketball. Instead, they went to a steak house. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. Now, how can I help you?". In 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. And that's what we did.". ET on OWN. 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. Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed to the world in 1991 that he was HIV positive and retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. Magic Johnson Parents. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "Yeah, I got cut. As a result, Magic had a very active sexual life and admitted to having some 300 to 500 sexual encounters per year prior to contracting HIV in 1991. 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 . Cookie is the first spokeswoman for the I Stand With Magic campaign with Magic Johnson where they continue to fight against HIV/AIDS. Magic Johnson relationship list. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. Rumours swirl that Johnsons wealth now exceeds $1bn. They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. And I lost it. However, their separation only lasted two weeks. We always went to the movies once a week, she said. "We both fell on our knees and we started crying.". She has since become known for her philanthropic work within various organizations. We're still those kids from Michigan. I went to a club. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. My goal is to go out across the country and speak to over 1,000 women; to educate them and to empower them, Cookie told Matt Lauer in the 2007 interview. I know when I come here [home], I'm not Magic. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. In the above clip from "Oprah's Next Chapter," Johnson remembers that fateful day. "And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers. 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. Wake up to the day's most important news. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. Venice is absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed touring the city by water taxi! 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. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. The NBA star and businesswoman, who met in college, have been together on and off for over 40 years and share two children together. There were his teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, who embraced him, and would go on to support him when he returned to play again, first as part of the 1992 Olympics dream team and then during another stint at the Lakers. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. Johnson recalls asking his doctor. We had a wonderful conversation. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. The state-mandated integration of education brought its own tensions: playground fights and bullying. When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured. It's OK. After years of unsuccessful dieting, EJ Johnson underwent gastric sleeve surgery when he was 22 years old. "Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life," he wrote. The NBA star and businesswoman,. Magic Johnson's parents, Earl and Christine Johnson, were both African American. Johnson joined president George W Bushs national Aids commission and then publicly quit after eight months, lambasting the presidents inaction. ", "Yeah, you're just in disbelief and in shock," Johnson says. "He said, 'If you want to leave, you know, I don't blame you. All Rights Reserved. Had he grappled with his own mortality? On September 14, 1991, Magic Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. You need to get up and figure that out.'". A. A post shared by Elisa J. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. Tensions were also felt on the basketball court: Johnson recalls, in his 1992 autobiography, My Life, that some of his white teammates were initially reluctant to even pass him the ball. Upon his return, Magic was told that he tested positive for HIV. After receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive, Magic announced in a press conference that he was leaving basketball in order to dedicate his life to "battl[ing] this deadly disease. Theyve continued the tradition long into their marriage, making time for a date each Friday night. Who is Magic Johnsons Wife, Earletha Cookie Johnson? Lets just hope we get this one right, in the black and brown community, because we never really got HIV and Aids right.. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her.". When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Magic and Cookie created the Magic Johnson Foundation in an effort to develop and fund programs that are geared at preventing HIV/AIDS while also providing testing, treatment and scholarships. And so I just lost it right there, you know?". I mean, it was very early on.. I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. Johnson won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for his efforts in leading the Lakers to a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, winning four of six games in the championship series. He said, Yeah, by the way, give me your number. Im like what? "I wore that white suit for a reason. We sit down and this guy says: Boy, what you want? he recalls. She even released a book called "Believing in Magic" which. In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. Magics departure from the NBA remains one of the most shocking moments in sports history. That's a huge milestone for any couple, but especially when one of the involved parties. "I was scared to death about the baby. We have a good time., The couple also enjoys spending time at their beach house together. The soul comes from her [Cookie]. 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. There were mixed reviews about his comeback, with several players uncomfortable with the idea of playing alongside an HIV-positive athlete. It was referred to as "gay cancer" but that's because so little was understood about the disease. They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. Today, he remains one of the most famous people in the world living with the virus. 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. "At that time, people weren't educated. . He wanted to own his own NBA franchise and had harboured a desire to make and create wealth from a young age. "And then the worst thing was Cookie was pregnant with E.J. Magic has had his wife Cookie along for the ride. From winning five NBA titles to making 12 All-Star teams, his career was nothing short of amazing. The latter was adopted in 1995. "God blessed us when the test results came back on her and the baby that she didn't have HIV and the baby didn't either," Johnson says. Lansing, like most large cities in the midwest, was de facto segregated. When Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to his new wife, Cookie Johnson, in 1991, she didn't turn and run away. 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. "It went from three times a day, now just once. 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. Magic Johnson news, gossip, photos of Magic Johnson, biography, Magic Johnson girlfriend list 2023. Magic Johnson Wife . The following season (1982-1983) saw the third Finals match-up between the Lakers and the 76ers in four years. I'm Earvin. Lansing itself has become a hotbed of extremist militia activity and Johnson watched in horror as armed conservative groups stormed into the state Capitol in April last year, protesting against Covid-19 lockdown laws. BASKETBALL legend, Magic Johnson has been married to his wife, Cookie, since 1991. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. There was a lot of breaking up and getting back together, a lot of ups and downs. [My mind] went to 'He is possibly going to die,'" Johnson told Roberts. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael . He made a splash in July 2018 by signing megastar free agent LeBron James, but abruptly resigned his post at the end of the 2018-2019 NBA season. That kind of got to me, because it had been boiling, boiling, boiling, boiling anyway. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. "'I'm looking at you like this sitting on this couch. You couldn't hug people. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. 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. Her fathers name is Earl and her mothers name is Cora. Leaving college after two years, Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. According to Cookie, Magics ego reached outsized proportions in 2001 after his name was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Johnson has never watched a recording of that press conference. ", When Johnson walked through the front door, he says Cookie knew something was wrong. Johnson at an international symposium on HIV and Aids in Tokyo in 1993. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. And it has interesting parallels for today, when the world continues to battle another public health crisis. It was Nov. 7, 1991, when Los Angeles Lakers star player Earvin "Magic" Johnson publicly announced his diagnosis and sent shock waves across the nation. We get popcorn. And Johnsons unique talent (it was while he was at high school that a local newspaper reporter coined his nickname), eventually brought the team a state championship in his final year. His wife has also recently learned she was pregnant. This is just the start though. 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. Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. How Magic Johnson Told His Wifeand Ex-LoversHe Had HIV. But the toughest part of his diagnosis, he said, was to drive home and tell his wife. She has been a key part in reducing the number of infections of the virus in the African-American community by further educating women about the disease and further testing thats available. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! But, as he remembers the period shortly after the diagnosis, he thinks of those he relied on. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic said. And then, finally, the results came in and what they told me was that if the mother is negative, then the baby is automatically negative. .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. Larry is a quiet guy and wants a quiet life. Tall order Johnson shoots for Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in c 1977 in East Lansing, Michigan. 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. I had to make sure that I was open-minded enough to ask a lot of questions, go get a lot of information from different people," he said. Cookie was also pregnant at the time, which certainly scared her. For Johnson, seeing Fauci speak about a new epidemic while reflecting on the HIV crisis of the 1980s has been sobering the racial disparities in American healthcare are stark. The two contested back-to-back NBA finals in 1984 and 1985, their differing personas Bird, the insular, precision shotmaker and Johnson the flamboyant superstar making the rivalry all the more intense. Johnson and his wife, Cookie, also have a daughter named Elisa, whom they adopted in 1995. Undeterred, Johnson played in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. . Cookie was instrumental in creating a program called BREATHE, which works to prevent asthma in young children. The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have raised three children together, Andre, E.J. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs, he says. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Despite being married to one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Cookie Johnson established a very successful career as an entrepreneur and writer. On October 24, 1991, he got a call from the Lakers physician asking him to come home right away. The couple got married in September 1991, in a small private wedding in Lansing, Michigan. He ended up retiring again before returning to the sport he loved one more time in 1996. The wedding ceremony was attended by many famous personalities including other NBA superstars such as Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. It was sobering, says Johnson, to see Dr Fauci out front and centre again, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its really sad. Johnson met Cookie while she was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines.
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