Larry is a quiet guy and wants a quiet life. I'm gonna stay here and help you live. It was sobering, says Johnson, to see Dr Fauci out front and centre again, during the Covid-19 pandemic. He created Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has a variety of holdings. In the year 1991. As we talk today, right now, Im thinking, Wow its been 30 years and Im still here, healthy. 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. But sport also became a vessel to bring students together. "I told Cookie, I said, 'You know what? So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". 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. Magic Johnson Says He Hated Telling His Wife Cookie About - People At the time, Magic was in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the doctor didn't want to talk about it over the phone. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Venice is absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed touring the city by water taxi! In 1996, staging a brief comeback, Johnson returned for a few months to the Lakers as a player. "I wanted to make sure that she was gonna be OK, the baby was gonna be OK, and then I could move forward with trying to make sure I was gonna be OK.". In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. It empowers our community now these kids dream that they can become not only a basketball player or a football player, but they can become a businessman. "And they say, 'Hey, we ran the tests a couple of times, and yes, you do have HIV.' He's very intelligent, and his mindset is like his dad's. The late actor Elizabeth Glaser, who herself contracted HIV after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion, encouraged his public advocacy. 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. Johnson is adamant that she never wavered in supporting her husband. After years of unsuccessful dieting, EJ Johnson underwent gastric sleeve surgery when he was 22 years old. 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. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. They have inspired many people through their philanthropy works and entrepreneurship ventures that continue to thrive long after they left the NBA world. Now 29, hes gone on to work in fashion, and starred on the E! Johnson has since built up a business empire, which includes real estate holdings, Starbucks franchises, movie theaters and shares of professional sports teams. And that's what we did.". We go to the movies. 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. When Magic Johnson's iconic basketball career was interrupted by a stunning HIV diagnosis three decades ago, the newlywed NBA legend had no idea how much time he had to live or how the virus would affect his wife and their unborn child. The Day Magic Johnson Found Out He Was HIV-Positive The wedding was a long time in the making. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com "It scared me to death. He wanted to own his own NBA franchise and had harboured a desire to make and create wealth from a young age. There were his teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, who embraced him, and . With the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic, bringing him to Los Angeles. . Your login session has expired. 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. Magic continued to go all out, dedicating three posts to her with a gallery of images of them from over the years. Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson got married in 1991 in Lansing, Michigan, just 45 days before Magic was diagnosed with HIV. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images, receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive. Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. 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. 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. she said. Johnson first learned of his diagnosis after a routine physical ahead of the 1991-92 NBA season. 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 taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. Regardless of his marital status, we are rooting for his. Initially, Cookie admittedly was not in favor of Magic holding the press conference announcing his HIV diagnosis due to the stigma surrounding the disease. "We both fell on our knees and we started crying.". During a period when Magic and Cookie werent together, he dated a woman named Melissa Mitchell, with whom he had a son, Andre, in 1981. It frustrated me to try on every pair in the store and leave with nothing.. The couple have worked together to promote awareness of the disease, they told Haute Living. (modern). Am I gonna die?'" 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. 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 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. That's a huge milestone for any couple, but especially when one of the involved parties. Weve lost too many lives that we shouldnt have lost with both Aids and Covid-19 Johnson. #blackmarriageday earvin johnson jr. and earlitha kelly pic.twitter.com/jPYQrLom8C. Even though Johnson had not played a single regular season game, fans voted him onto the NBA All-Star team in 1992. Ever since the day I laid eyes on you in 1978 I knew you were the one for me. "In those days, you had to wait almost 10 days to get your results back, so that was agonizing. She has always been a woman of charitable interests. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers," she told King. It was referred to as "gay cancer" but that's because so little was understood about the disease. On October 24, 1991, he got a call from the Lakers physician asking him to come home right away. His most virulent experiences with racism during childhood, however, came on trips down south to visit his grandparents in Mississippi. I've been in nine [NBA] Finals, so I know pressure. . The One Thing That Almost Cost Magic Johnson His Marriage. [Magic] was standing there by the doorway when I walked in with a friend of mine, she said. Cookie recounted her exact emotions when Magic told her in a 2016 interview with Good Morning America. You know, why is he in there so long?' We get popcorn. And he's gonna be just that. Are we where were supposed to be? 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. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. 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. And so everything is great. The Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson story is a testament to love, dedication, and commitment to bettering themselves and their community. They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. The Spartans proved victorious, and the Johnson-Bird rivalry would follow the players to their days with the NBA. "I just sat her down and began to tell her that I had HIV," he says. A lot of people are afraid to hug and kiss those with HIV or AIDS because theyre afraid theyre going to get it. There was also a lot of fear and confusion regarding how the disease could be transmitted. Part of HuffPost News. 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. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And the medical experts Dr David Ho and Dr Anthony Fauci assured him that he could go on to live a healthy life. How had he acquired the virus? She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. 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. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. 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. It was nothing but a strong sense of trust and commitment that kept them from calling it quits on their relationship. Since retiring from basketball, Johnson has become an investment tycoon operating Magic. After selling his stake in the Lakers in 2010, Johnson joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. EJ has become quite popular himself over the years and has appeared on several TV shows including his reality show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnson's kids total to two. Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life, he wrote on Instagram. It also dives deeper into their lives after Magic was hit with the devastating news. Magic Johnson Reveals What Almost Cost Him His Marriage To - HuffPost She is an entrepreneur and writer. In her interview with Mocha Man Style, Cookie revealed how they maintain their spark. Magic Johnson news, gossip, photos of Magic Johnson, biography, Magic Johnson girlfriend list 2023. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. The couple opened up about the impact the diagnosis had on their relationship in an interview with CBS Mornings' Gayle King that aired Thursday. His father would send his children in groups of three to use the bathroom at truck stops to watch each others backs. "Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life," he wrote. The wedding ceremony was two months before Magic announced to the world that he was infected with HIV. It's OK. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. And a few months later, he would play on the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. We had a great time. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. 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 walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. It was like we were old friends, she continued. Magic Johnson relationship list. Magic Johnson Apologized to His Son EJ Johnson After EJ - Sportscasting And what I would find out later is that is the way America is. Johnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. A post shared by Earvin "Magic" Johnson (@magicjohnson) on Sep 3, 2016 at 9:28am PDT, Essence wrote that Magic organized a black tie affair on the Yacht Club de Monaco with over 100 of their famous friends to honor their special day., Having birthday lunch with family is always special #Blessed #FamilyIsEverything #Grateful, A post shared by Cookie Johnson (@thecookiej) on Jan 20, 2017 at 1:46pm PST. And the white suit, to me, symbolized brightness, like a future basically [and] positivity.". 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. At the time he learned he had the disease, his wife Cookie was pregnant with their first child. Who is Magic Johnson dating? Magic Johnson girlfriend, wife 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. NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson was named the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, the organization said in an announcement February 21. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. It was partly realising the publics general ignorance about the virus that spurred him into a career of advocacy work. Rumours swirl that Johnsons wealth now exceeds $1bn. And that hurt me. Earlitha Cookie Kelly and Earvin Magic Johnson (Getty). According to Cookie, that was the moment she fell in love with him. I mean, it was very early on.. "And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers. Magic Johnson Credits Wife with Helping Him Get Through HIV Diagnosis Advertisement Lakers champion Magic Johnson found a brilliant woman, Cookie, to call his own in 1991. Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. 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. A. Earleatha Johnson was born on January 20th, 1959. That real talk proved effective. I've been in nine [NBA] Finals, so I know pressure. So, are they still in touch? ", Cookie eventually went to the news conference wearing a white suit that she said symbolized "brightness" and "a future.". Heres what you need to know about Cookie: #OnThisDay in 1991 NBA star Magic Johnson marries Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! The newlyweds had also just found out she was pregnant with their first child, E.J., now 24. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. ohnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. Showtime Johnson on court for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics at The Forum, LA, in 1988. 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. They were very supportive of their son and his career. 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. They calmed me down, because I was thinking I was going to die, he says. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. The Truth About Magic Johnson And Cookie Johnson's Marriage I've been in championships. For the second time in his pro career, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers for the championship title. There are so many misconceptions out there, and because of that, it has caused so much discrimination. ", We know that religion says no and I did have a big problem with that and I prayed about it a lot, Cookie said. 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.". 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. 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. Magic Johnson's parents, Earl and Christine Johnson, were both African American. I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. How long have Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson been Married. She even released a book called "Believing in Magic" which. "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. Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. Help us understand, you know, "Look Earvin, you're gonna have to take a lot of meds, but it's about your attitude, your mindset. The Success Of Magic Johnson - Highschool Cube In the above clip from "Oprah's Next Chapter," Johnson remembers that fateful day. In the 1984 NBA Finals, Johnson again encountered rival Bird, who had signed with the Boston Celtics. His other ventures include- being co-founder of Love + Light Ventures, LLC in April 2014, and joining The Virtual Reality Company as Head of Business Development. 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. Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson have been married for 31 years since 14th Sep 1991. view relationship. He said, Yeah, by the way, give me your number. Im like what? Cookie Johnson shares the story from her perspective in her new memoir, "Believing in Magic. It was one of the hardest days of his life; he later disclosed he contracted HIV from unprotected sex. 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. ", When Johnson walked through the front door, he says Cookie knew something was wrong. EJ is openly gay and Elisa was adopted in 1995. February 18, 2022, 10:40 AM. By far, marrying you was one of the best decisions Ive ever made.. Thats the country. ", First published on November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM. Ultimately you want your child to be happy, she said. 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. Cookie serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Magic Johnson Foundation where she focuses on the health, social, and educational needs of those residing in underserved communities and is involved in the development of the Foundations programs, objectives, and goals. We have a long way to go. and Elisa. 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. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Upon his return, Magic was told that he tested positive for HIV. It was like, I dont want you dancing with me. How many girlfriends did Magic Johnson have? - ElegantQuestion.com We had a wonderful conversation. I understand.' Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle She grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and moved to Detroit, Michigan at six years old. 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. While promoting her memoir Believing In Magic in 2017, Cookie spoke to Mocha Man Style about the first time she met Magic. "Everything is great," he said. 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. Denim was always a huge passion of hers growing up so this is truly a dream come true. Cookie recalled so many women being there wanting to meet Magic and was frankly surprised Magic picked her. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her.". "And [Glaser] said, 'One thing I want you to do and that's be the face of it.' 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. On September 14, 2021, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. We started this in college. Lets just hope we get this one right, in the black and brown community, because we never really got HIV and Aids right.. I'm gonna stay here and we're gonna beat this thing. He is also a published author. She said, I couldnt find jeans to fit my body type. "A cocktail, once a day," he said. 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. Andre is known for staying out of the public eye. ", During the ride home, Johnson says he thought about how he would break the devastating news to her. I think we both gotta give Elizabeth Glaser a lot of credit for our strength in helping us to really understand what we had to go through as a family and then myself, what I had to go through, Magic said. Wake up to the day's most important news. When Magic informed Cookie that he had likely contracted the disease via sexual contact, she was more concerned about his well-being. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. The Magic Johnson Foundation was formed in 1991 to address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Earletha Cookie Johnson was born on January 20, 1959, in Alabama. She has two siblings - an older sister Pat and a younger brother Harold Earl. Magic Johnson's Wife Cookie: How They Met, Married, Kids - Parade A guy like myself swears by him, he says. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed to the world in 1991 that he was HIV positive and retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. No. The couple live in Beverly Hills with their family. Johnson joined president George W Bushs national Aids commission and then publicly quit after eight months, lambasting the presidents inaction. Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive - History 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 hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. He said to me: Earvin, youve got to remember youre in the south and thats how theyre used to talking to Blacks. It was a real eye-opener.. He was put in a bad situation.. He stunned basketball fans and transformed HIV awareness by announcing his diagnosis in 1991. "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. I thought he was going to take me to Arbys, she said. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. Magic Johnson's wife: Cookie Johnson - ClutchPoints 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. Cookie Johnson is 64 years of age. During the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tried his hand at coaching with the Lakers.

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