At that time, in the 1970s, he idolised players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Dave Bing, the Detroit Pistons point guard, who went on to become the citys mayor in 2009. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. Advertisement Lakers champion Magic Johnson found a brilliant woman, Cookie, to call his own in 1991. On September 14, 1991, Magic Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. A. Earleatha Johnson was born on January 20th, 1959. I've been in championships. He knows how he wants it done. In 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. "And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers. Cookie and Magic got married in September 1991, with a small wedding in Lansing, Michigan. He was raised by his mom and would visit his. The two separated, but reunited two weeks later and have since devoted themselves to working on their marriage. Against a black-draped backdrop, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and multicoloured tie, Earvin Magic Johnson, spoke calmly into a single microphone and told the world that he had been diagnosed with HIV. 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. How Magic Johnson Told His Wifeand Ex-LoversHe Had HIV "And [Glaser] said, 'One thing I want you to do and that's be the face of it.' Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. Regardless of his marital status, we are rooting for his. Your login session has expired. Cookie recounted her exact emotions when Magic told her in a 2016 interview with Good Morning America. Magic became a father in 1981 when his then-girlfriend, Melissa Mitchell, gave birth to a baby boy. 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. He and Cookie have been together throughout this time, and neither she nor their son, Earvin Johnson III, have HIV. Now they have been married for thirty years. Even today, as were talking about it right now, I still cant believe all the events that happened within a year. 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. Johnson at an international symposium on HIV and Aids in Tokyo in 1993. Professional rivalry and racial dynamics Larry Bird of Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson during the 1984 NBA Finals at the Forum in Los Angeles. Magic Johnson's Wife + Relationships, Exes & Rumors (2023) - Dating Rumor Johnson recalls asking his doctor. "'I'm looking at you like this sitting on this couch. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. The wedding ceremony was two months before Magic announced to the world that he was infected with HIV. 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. He also made headlines when he came out publicly as gay back in April of 2013 during his sophomore year at New York University. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. [protected-iframe id=d38edc4e43748d8b05dc4bf57f6176c2-62957618-114657895 info=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32545640 width=420 height=245], Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy. ", When Johnson walked through the front door, he says Cookie knew something was wrong. Leaving college after two years, Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. We see each other at events. Celebrity traction Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor at a 20 Years of Aids, 20 Years of Hope event in Santa Monica in 2001. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. Upon his return, Magic was told that he tested positive for HIV. He would sit on the couch and watch the Lakers play, thinking, "I should be there," he recalls. Powered by. 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. November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. There were his teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, who embraced him, and . How many girlfriends did Magic Johnson have? - ElegantQuestion.com ", In a 2021 interview with Gayle King on CBS, he explained how his decision and diagnosis weighed on his relationship with Cookie. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. Cookie is the first spokeswoman for the I Stand With Magic campaign with Magic Johnson where they continue to fight against HIV/AIDS. And they didn't have to worry about trying to test the baby because, really, I mean, he hadn't really formed yet, actually. 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. This was the Showtime era when the Lakers reignited the NBA with a brand of fast-paced, flamboyant ball play that won them five championships. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. Now, how can I help you?". Magic Johnson Says He & Cookie Johnson Would've Divorced 'Fast - Yahoo Cookie recalled so many women being there wanting to meet Magic and was frankly surprised Magic picked her. In 1992, he had his latest book, My Life, published. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. The couple has been together on and off for over four decades. Johnson met Cookie while she was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines. His wife has also recently learned she was. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. "And that just broke her heart. During Johnson's third season (1981-1982) with the team, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again. Johnson and his team continued to be one of the NBA's top competitors throughout the rest of the 1980s. And I was still trying to figure it out. Cookie and I are in Venice, Italy celebrating our 25th Anniversary! What would he do next? "I don't know what would have happened if I'd have got that news that she had HIV as well. 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. Magic Johnson Credits Wife with Helping Him Get Through HIV Diagnosis Her brand is sold in over 500 specialty stores in the United States. Cookie Johnson is 64 years of age. He and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson have been married since 1991. He was so full of life. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. It taught me how to work alongside somebody who doesnt look like me, he says. That's not the man I married,'" she recalls telling him. They got married in September of 1991 in a private ceremony in Lansing, Los Angeles. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her.". There were mixed reviews about his comeback, with several players uncomfortable with the idea of playing alongside an HIV-positive athlete. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Tall order Johnson shoots for Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in c 1977 in East Lansing, Michigan. Thats the country. We met in college as freshmen [at Michigan State]. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. "Yeah, I got cut. Magic Johnson's wife: Cookie Johnson - ClutchPoints He had married his long-time girlfriend Cookie in September of that year and they were expecting a baby. and Elisa. Johnson, who remains HIV-undetectable to this day, opened up about living with the virus and his career in an exclusive interview for "CBS Mornings" nearly 30 years after he publicly announced his HIV diagnosis. In the 1984 NBA Finals, Johnson again encountered rival Bird, who had signed with the Boston Celtics. Heres what you need to know about Cookie: #OnThisDay in 1991 NBA star Magic Johnson marries Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. 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. Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed to the world in 1991 that he was HIV positive and retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. While their early days werent the easiest, the couple has stuck it out together and continues to be advocates against HIV/AIDS. [Cookie and I] had a difficult conversation. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. 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. 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. Video related to cookie johnson, magics wife: 5 fast facts you need to know. It was one of the hardest days of his life; he later disclosed he contracted HIV from unprotected sex. At that time, when you got something like HIV, there were so many things I didnt know, so they had to educate me about how the virus was going to act in my body, what I could expect. And what I would find out later is that is the way America is. 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. After an agonizing wait, the couple soon got some wonderful news. They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. Its shocking how many people dont get it. 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. Instead, they went to a steak house. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills as well as his own spinoff EJNYC in the 2010s. 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. Magic said he had a change of heart after a tough conversation with his son. Thats who I am.. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful. She is an entrepreneur and writer. Earletha Cookie Johnson was born on January 20, 1959, in Alabama. Johnson excelled during his freshman year, helping his team clinch the Big Ten Conference title. Johnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. Magic has another son from another woman, 35-year old Andre. The latter became a media sensation after her relationship with the basketball icon. We dont have to stay in touch with each other, thats not what we do, he says, describing a friendship forged in unique circumstances. She even released a book called "Believing in Magic" which. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have raised three children together, Andre, E.J. 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. ", "Yeah, you're just in disbelief and in shock," Johnson says. And he's gonna be just that. (modern). Thirty years on, he discusses his relationship with Anthony Fauci, the meaning of money and why hes still optimistic. 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. March 6, 2022 Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. Like Magic, Cookie attended and graduated from Michigan State University. 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. Magic Johnson is one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. Their legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come as they serve as role models for anyone looking to make positive changes in the world today. Its really sad. All About Susan Benedetto, Serena Williams Shares Her Reaction to Will Smith's Oscars Slap: 'We're All Imperfect', Gayle King Goes from Getting a Colonoscopy to Watching Drake at the Apollo Theater, LeBron James Becomes Second NBA Player in History to Score 38,000 Points as He Closes in on All-Time Record. 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 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. That was the beginning of when I fell in love with him.. "'You know, the man I married was a hard worker. "We both fell on our knees and we started crying.". 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. And so I just lost it right there, you know?". Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. His career in business did not begin in earnest until his second retirement in the mid-90s. With the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic, bringing him to Los Angeles. ", "I didn't have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. During the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tried his hand at coaching with the Lakers. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. When Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to his new wife, Cookie Johnson, in 1991, she didn't turn and run away. On 7 November 1991, a press conference in Inglewood, California, brought America to a standstill. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I thought he was going to take me to Arbys, she said. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her." The couple has been married for 25 years and have three children together. The retired NBA legend and his wife have created a legacy of love, philanthropy, business success, and advocacy that has made them household names. Undeterred, Johnson played in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. The wedding ceremony was attended by many famous personalities including other NBA superstars such as Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Relationship history. 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. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. Who is Magic Johnson's wife, Cookie Johnson? All you need to know! Magics departure from the NBA remains one of the most shocking moments in sports history. He reflected on their marriage again in a 2021 tribute. "That was a difficult day.". At the time he learned he had the disease, his wife Cookie was pregnant with their first child. Since retiring from basketball, Johnson has become an investment tycoon operating Magic. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV. The couple has three children together: Andre, EJ, and Elisa. 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. How long has Magic Johnson been married? Cookie and Magic Johnson on His HIV Diagnosis, Their Son Being Gay, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Magic Johnsons wife Cookie is a very accomplished woman who has stood by his side for many, many years. I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. There was, of course, his wife, Cookie the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. We started this in college. 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. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? "I had to really learn a lot about the disease, HIV as well as AIDS. Today, the Lakers star is a loving father and grandfather, a successful businessman, a philanthropist and the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. '", "You were on the floor yourself, I heard, for two hours," Oprah says. There was also a lot of fear and confusion regarding how the disease could be transmitted. / CBS News. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. Youve made me a better man, person, husband, father, and businessman. ", First published on November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael . Aside from being a best-selling author, Cookie is also a businesswoman. Everything about Magic seems so wholesome, including the fact that he has been married to his wife, Cookie, for over 30 years now and that the duo has been together since they first met in. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. They met at a party in their freshman year at Michigan State in 1977. "The doctor tells you and you just laid on the floor. 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 have pictures of all the Little League stuff I put him in and the baseball teams and the football teams. He created Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has a variety of holdings. Mellman told him he had a chance to live for a long time with all the new drugs that were being developed, Johnson said. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. Just as he had dominated the courts, Johnson became a powerful force in business. She stands at 5 foot 6 inches. Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle Magic credits Elizabeth Glaser, who founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation after she contracted HIV through a blood transfusion, for bringing out the courage in him to become a public advocate for HIV awareness. Magic Johnson Who Tried to Call Off Wedding to Cookie 3 Times Two decades later, Magic and Cookie are still married. Cowboys O-Line Target Steve Avila of TCU Drafted by Rams The Celtics beat the Lakers in a tight competitionfour games to threefor the 1984 championship. Magic Johnsons Son E.J. He had always expected to go to his local high school on the citys west side with its renowned basketball team.
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