However, she was upset when he told her he'd understand if she wanted. She has two siblings - an older sister Pat and a younger brother Harold Earl. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. At the time of his diagnosis, Johnson thought the virus was a death sentence. It was tough, because Cookie was afraid of what might happen, the backlash if we went public. They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. Were finally starting to understand that. But sport also became a vessel to bring students together. It was everything rolled into one. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. "Yeah, I got cut. So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". There was a lot of breaking up and getting back together, a lot of ups and downs. You couldn't hug people. And he's gonna be just that. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. 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. And that's what I'm doing., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. I guess now I get to enjoy some of the other sides of living.. And a few months later, he would play on the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team. ", "My doctor had told me that, but it's different hearing it from somebody who's actually going through it," Magic added. '", "You were on the floor yourself, I heard, for two hours," Oprah says. The Spartans proved victorious, and the Johnson-Bird rivalry would follow the players to their days with the NBA. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? That was the beginning of when I fell in love with him.. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. Magic returned for the 1992 Olympic gold medal winning Dream Team, as well as another season for the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1995-96 team. It was so funny because every girl on campus wanted to meet him, Cookie recalls of their first encounter. Ahead of HBOs new limited series Winning Time, which chronicles the rise of the Showtime Lakers in the 80s including Johnsons signing to the team, look back at his and Cookies relationship. When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured. She had a degree in retailing of clothing and textiles. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. Johnson first learned of his diagnosis after a routine physical ahead of the 1991-92 NBA season. I hope we can turn a corner. He knows how he wants it done. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV. 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.". "I wasn't sick." "It was like, 'Who is he calling? He also appeared on television as a sports commentator. In a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple said that they are still madly in love with each other and are soul mates. The couple got married in September 1991, in a small private wedding in Lansing, Michigan. And what does this mean, of course. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful. He now holds stakes in the LA Dodgers baseball team, the womens basketball team LA Sparks and the Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. uring his 1991 press conference Johnson also made clear that his aspirations in business meant he simply had to go on living. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. He said, Yeah, by the way, give me your number. Im like what? The two were married in 1991 and have been together ever since. And I was still trying to figure it out. But I also knew that Earvin didn't understand. Thats who I am.. Rumours swirl that Johnsons wealth now exceeds $1bn. ", When Johnson walked through the front door, he says Cookie knew something was wrong. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cookie has a net worth of $50 million. 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. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," said the former NBA champion in a joint interview with his wife Cookie on CBS Mornings. However, she advanced her career and has become a force to reckon with. 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. Are we where were supposed to be? I've been in nine [NBA] Finals, so I know pressure. Magic was one of the most prominent basketball players in NBA history. That year Johnson also averaged a career-best 23.9 points per game, resulting in his first regular-season NBA MVP awardan honor he would receive again in 1989 and 1990. 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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. 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'm gonna stay here and we're gonna beat this thing. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. There were his teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, who embraced him, and . Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. Johnsons father didnt fly, so the family would drive 900 miles (1,450km) on a two-day trip. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. That same year, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. The Johnsons adopted their daughter, Elisa, when she was three days old. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. 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. He was put in a bad situation.. Astrological Sign: Leo. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. After selling his stake in the Lakers in 2010, Johnson joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. High times as guard for Michigan State, Johnson cuts down the net after winning a championship game in Salt Lake City in 1979. 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. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. But, as he remembers the period shortly after the diagnosis, he thinks of those he relied on. Mellman told him he had a chance to live for a long time with all the new drugs that were being developed, Johnson said. He hoped to return to professional basketball for the next season, but he dropped that plan amidst fear from other players who were concerned about playing with an HIV-positive competitor. While promoting her memoir Believing In Magic in 2017, Cookie spoke to Mocha Man Style about the first time she met Magic. On 7 November 1991, a press conference in Inglewood, California, brought America to a standstill. [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. Plus other revelations from Cookie Johnson's new memoir, Believing in Magic. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America. I dont know where they livemaybe under a rock. They calmed me down, because I was thinking I was going to die, he says. I felt bad for him. They have inspired many people through their philanthropy works and entrepreneurship ventures that continue to thrive long after they left the NBA world. Just as Black Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV and Aids, so has Covid-19 killed at a racially disproportionate rate. He had all these ideas. she said. At the time, Magic was in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the doctor didn't want to talk about it over the phone. Public perception about the disease at the time was widely regarded with ignorance. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. A post shared by Cookie Johnson (@thecookiej) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:38pm PST. He believed he contracted the disease through unprotected sexual activity. "I ended it the way I wanted it to end.". This was the first of several match-ups between the two teams. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. We go to the movies. 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. Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. Please enter valid email address to continue. Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson got married in 1991 in Lansing, Michigan, just 45 days before Magic was diagnosed with HIV. Despite being diagnosed with such a life-threatening disease at the height of his career, he managed to survive and thrive as a businessman with the help and support of people like his wife Cookie. Cookie details this story and others in her memoir, Believing in Magic. 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. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The soul comes from her [Cookie]. They met each other way back in 1977 and hit it off within a few weeks of getting to know each other. "It helped people who were living with not just HIV and AIDS, but with any disease, that you can live on, you can be live a productive life.". 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 . Undeterred, Johnson played in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. But Cookie came home one day and said something that "changed my life," Johnson said. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic said. They got married in September of 1991 in a private ceremony in Lansing, Los Angeles. You know sometimes when you meet people and you have to make conversation until you really get to know them? He currently has a voice role on The Proud Family reboot Louder And Prouder. 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. Johnson is adamant that she never wavered in supporting her husband. Cookie and Magic got married in September 1991, with a small wedding in Lansing, Michigan. Cookie is the first spokeswoman for the I Stand With Magic campaign with Magic Johnson where they continue to fight against HIV/AIDS. March 6, 2022 Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. "I just sat her down and began to tell her that I had HIV," he says. I know when I come here [home], I'm not Magic. According to Cookie, Magic didnt ask her to dance. Johnson continued to play in college for Michigan State University. ", During the ride home, Johnson says he thought about how he would break the devastating news to her. He is less coy, though, when describing the reason he sought wealth, and was not content with the riches of his earnings as a player. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. 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. He wore a white tux and she a white gown and large tiara. February 18, 2022, 10:40 AM. So he never makes a quick decision. Leaving college after two years, Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. It's OK. From selling jeans to giving numerous speeches to underprivileged people, Cookie Johnson is much more than just a terrific wife. 2 Magic Johnson and wife, Cookie, have been married since 1991 Who is Magic Johnson's wife Cookie? As the Lansing protests unfolded last year Johnson found himself sending messages to his parents and siblings to make sure they were OK: To stay away and stay safe., I think what it did was make people quiet about who they were going to actually vote for, he says. Magics departure from the NBA remains one of the most shocking moments in sports history. Cookie Johnson shares the story from her perspective in her new memoir, "Believing in Magic. Best Known For: Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of the world's best basketball players for more than a decade. So, are they still in touch? Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, he made for an impressive point guard. / CBS News. 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. Johnson and his team continued to be one of the NBA's top competitors throughout the rest of the 1980s. Johnson at an international symposium on HIV and Aids in Tokyo in 1993. (@elisajohnson) on May 28, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT, EJ was a star on the reality TV show, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.. 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. Regardless of his marital status, we are rooting for his. "The key moment was when Cookie took the test and the results came back that her and the baby was fine," the retired NBA star told King, adding he was "scared to death" beforehand. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. Cookie joined her husband on stage for his announcement along with a specially selected outfit. Johnson excelled during his freshman year, helping his team clinch the Big Ten Conference title. "It scared me to death. 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. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic, 62, told King, 66. Magic has another son from another woman, 35-year old Andre. Its really sad. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. The latter became a media sensation after her relationship with the basketball icon. I dont live in the past, he says. ", "Yeah, you're just in disbelief and in shock," Johnson says. Ultimately, I just prayed to God and said, "God you revealed to me how you feel about this." She said in the book that going through it was like being in her own personal hell filled with silence and darkness, numbness., She wrote that after telling his wife, he locked himself in a room and called the long list of women with whom hed been intimate. Cookie added in the memoir about the night and experience after, In just one moment our world, this perfect union wed fought so hard and so long to have was obliterated.. Cause he never said anything to me the entire night, she explained. There are so many misconceptions out there, and because of that, it has caused so much discrimination. Maybe I should look at playing one more time," Johnson said, noting that he wanted to "end it the right way. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Magic became a father in 1981 when his then-girlfriend, Melissa Mitchell, gave birth to a baby boy. But she was able to meet with both of us and really help us, you know, really calm us down. The couple live in Beverly Hills with their family. In this post, were taking a look at Magic Johnsons wife, Cookie Johnson. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael . He's very intelligent, and his mindset is like his dad's. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. Without those two, he says. And as time went on, it never changed.. As for children, Cookie and Magic have two named EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson. Cookie was instrumental in creating a program called BREATHE, which works to prevent asthma in young children. But the toughest part of his diagnosis, he said, was to drive home and tell his wife. Tall order Johnson shoots for Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in c 1977 in East Lansing, Michigan. He also became the all-time leader in NBA assists per game, with an average of 11.2a title that he continues to hold today. The couple turned their mess into their message, becoming advocates for HIV awareness programs, education and prevention, and the couple's relationship grew stronger, Johnson said. There was also a lot of fear and confusion regarding how the disease could be transmitted. And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers," she told King. In 2008, he shared his secrets for success with the book 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business. Johnson's son Earvin III was born in 1992. The wedding ceremony was two months before Magic announced to the world that he was infected with HIV. Initially, Cookie admittedly was not in favor of Magic holding the press conference announcing his HIV diagnosis due to the stigma surrounding the disease. I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right.. The following year, he played an important role in taking the Spartans all the way to the NCAA Finals. Because of that, she took action and created her own brand. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Johnson said it was a huge relief when his wife's and baby's test results came back negative. When the Lakers would travel to Boston, Johnson recalls, some Black residents of the city would approach him and say they were backing the Lakers over their local team. The NBA star and businesswoman,. So thats whats important, that we have power and that we have a seat at the table., Magic Johnson: 20 years on from an All-Star game that changed basketball, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. ", Cookie eventually went to the news conference wearing a white suit that she said symbolized "brightness" and "a future.". Theyve continued the tradition long into their marriage, making time for a date each Friday night. "'I'm looking at you like this sitting on this couch. All rights reserved. One of the only clubs on the campus. And that hurt me. And Im this guy who is completely the opposite. The Trump presidency made even more stark the entrenched legacy of racism and white supremacy all over the country, including in Michigan, where Johnsons parents still live. He then bought a small share of the team. I had to come to realize that this is who he is, and he's going to be happy. 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. — -- Magic Johnson's wife, Cookie Johnson, recalls the moment her NBA star husband told her the devastating news that he was HIV-positive. Now, how can I help you?". "And that just broke her heart. The Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson story is a testament to love, dedication, and commitment to bettering themselves and their community. His wife has also recently learned she was pregnant. That's not the man I married,'" she recalls telling him. Cookie serves on the organizations board of directors. "Because she had waited for me, been patient with me, supported me -- and now I'm about to break her heart. Cookie and Magic got married in September 1991, with a small wedding in Lansing, Michigan. The couple celebrated 25 years of marriage in Italy in September 2016 with a big party and trip to Europe. 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. After that, his focus finally began to shift. 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. Magic Johnson is rumoured to have hooked up with Kathleen Sullivan . In 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. "I had to really learn a lot about the disease, HIV as well as AIDS. While Cookie thought their first date would be nonchalant, Magic took her to an actual steakhouse. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. "This woman here, God let me know why I married her, why he brought us together, Cookie told Roberts. We cant be cheering for Boston, those white guys, he recalls them saying. That would have been just devastating to me.". At the time, many people thought the virus mostly affected homosexuals or intravenous drug users. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is one of the most famous basketball players to ever play in the NBA. The NBA star credits his wife for her unconditional support. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Magic Johnsons wife Cookie is a very accomplished woman who has stood by his side for many, many years. His career in business did not begin in earnest until his second retirement in the mid-90s. So they thought you couldn't touch people, you couldn't hug people," she 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. 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. And they didn't have to worry about trying to test the baby because, really, I mean, he hadn't really formed yet, actually. "He said, 'If you want to leave, you know, I don't blame you. [Cookie and I] had a difficult conversation. 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. We had a wonderful conversation. And she wanted me to go public. "The worst thing about it is I knew I was going to hurt her," he says. "The doctor tells you and you just laid on the floor. After years of unsuccessful dieting, EJ Johnson underwent gastric sleeve surgery when he was 22 years old. 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. Denim was always a huge passion of hers growing up so this is truly a dream come true. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. "I wore that white suit for a reason. Magic continued to go all out, dedicating three posts to her with a gallery of images of them from over the years. Aged 15, and with his talent being noticed locally, Johnson faced one of the first big crossroads in his life. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. He took me on a real date. 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. Cookie opened up to Oprah about how Magic broke off. Its just its not America.. In the 1987 NBA Finals, they again defeated the Boston Celtics, and Johnson received the NBA Finals MVP Award for the third and final time in his career. Cookie recalled so many women being there wanting to meet Magic and was frankly surprised Magic picked her. Cookie also has authored a best-selling book about her and Magic Johnsons life named Believing in Magic. Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. Johnson has never watched a recording of that press conference. Along with Michael Jordan and Bird, he was part of the American "Dream Team" that won the gold medal. . On September 14, 2021, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. Theres no way hes going to pick me over all these other women.. For the second time in his pro career, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers for the championship title. After an agonizing wait, the couple soon got some wonderful news. No. "At that time, people weren't educated. He has a combination of both of us, Magic said. 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. She designs a popular brand of jeans that sells throughout luxury department stores in the US called CJ. It was nothing but a strong sense of trust and commitment that kept them from calling it quits on their relationship.

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