We sit down and this guy says: Boy, what you want? he recalls. Magic Johnson is rumoured to have hooked up with Kathleen Sullivan . "The worst thing about it is I knew I was going to hurt her," he says. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV. Magic's HIV is currently undetectable, though the former basketball star must still take a "cocktail once a day" of medications to help keep it under control. "I'm asking him 100 times, 'Are you sure?'" 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. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com What would he do next? In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. Andre is known for staying out of the public eye. A. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. During the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tried his hand at coaching with the Lakers. The Truth About Magic Johnson And Cookie Johnson's Marriage They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. While Cookie thought their first date would be nonchalant, Magic took her to an actual steakhouse. 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. Earlitha Cookie Kelly and Earvin Magic Johnson (Getty). Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. Cookie recalled so many women being there wanting to meet Magic and was frankly surprised Magic picked her. Im his father, so I got to be the first one to say, It's OK and I love you. I'm not going to sit here and say that I understood that he was gay at that time, because I didn't. On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that . Plus other revelations from Cookie Johnson's new memoir, Believing in Magic. Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, 63, was born in Huntsville, Alabama. When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured. The retired NBA legend and his wife have created a legacy of love, philanthropy, business success, and advocacy that has made them household names. Relationships. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. The Celtics beat the Lakers in a tight competitionfour games to threefor the 1984 championship. Maybe I should look at playing one more time," Johnson said, noting that he wanted to "end it the right way. The two were married in 1991 and have been together ever since. At the time of his diagnosis, Johnson thought the virus was a death sentence. Magic Johnson's rivalry with fellow basketball legend Larry Bird began when the two attended college and lasted throughout their time in the NBA. Who Is NCAA Tournament Star Brandon Miller? 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. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. ", "I was just devastated because I thought I had did everything right," Johnson says. The Lakers, however, took down the Celtics the following year in the Finals. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography Let's get on our knees and pray.' Cookie Johnson shares the story from her perspective in her new memoir, "Believing in Magic. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. As a young girl I was proud because I thought my dad was a super hero, but as I got older I started to realize who he really was and it made me gain an even greater appreciation for him, she told CR Fashion Book in 2016. Ultimately, I just prayed to God and said, "God you revealed to me how you feel about this." 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. I just knew that this is what made him happy. We had a wonderful conversation. 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. Thirty years on, he discusses his relationship with Anthony Fauci, the meaning of money and why hes still optimistic. Your login session has expired. How had he acquired the virus? Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. Cookie had been pregnant when Magic broke the news to her, but both have since been given the all clear on a potential diagnoses. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. He wore a white tux and she a white gown and large tiara. According to Cookie, that was the moment she fell in love with him. In the years following Magics diagnosis, he and Cookie have remained active in combating HIV and AIDS. Thats what made Showtime.. We have a good time., The couple also enjoys spending time at their beach house together. "I wasn't sick." Cookie also has authored a best-selling book about her and Magic Johnsons life named Believing in Magic. We started this in college. E.J., when he walks in a room, this is the most confident guy. Although Andre was raised by his mother, he visited Johnson each summer, and later worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises as a marketing director. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. He stunned basketball fans and transformed HIV awareness by announcing his diagnosis in 1991. Magic Johnson Reveals What Almost Cost Him His Marriage To - HuffPost ", "And that's why I came back," he said. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. Magic Johnson got married on September 14, 1991, to Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. That real talk proved effective. The Magic Johnson Foundation was formed in 1991 to address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". The latter was adopted in 1995. Johnson and his wife, Cookie, also have a daughter named Elisa, whom they adopted in 1995. Johnson has never watched a recording of that press conference. And she wanted me to go public. Please enter valid email address to continue. Both of his parents workedhis father for the General Motors plant in town and his mother as a school custodian. In 1992, he had his latest book, My Life, published. There was, of course, his wife, Cookie the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. I've been in championships. Relationship history. It was partly realising the publics general ignorance about the virus that spurred him into a career of advocacy work. Article Title: Magic Johnson Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/magic-johnson, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 19, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Venice is absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed touring the city by water taxi! Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. Much of his efforts have focused on developing urban areas, bringing Starbucks coffee franchises and movie theaters into underserved communities. "I wore that white suit for a reason. I just thought forget it. Please logout and login again. The couple have worked together to promote awareness of the disease, they told Haute Living. He said, Yes, I will. I gave him the number and literally the day I set foot back on campus he called me., In the same interview, Cookie recounted her first date with Magic. "The doctor tells you and you just laid on the floor. 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. But his professional career was also defined by a bitter rivalry with the Boston Celtics star player Larry Bird, who had been his competitor since college. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. Are we where were supposed to be? I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. "'You know, the man I married was a hard worker. The NBA star credits his wife for her unconditional support. 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. 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. The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team. Had he grappled with his own mortality? Johnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. He finally retired for good that same year, leaving behind an impressive legacy. Johnson and his team continued to be one of the NBA's top competitors throughout the rest of the 1980s. We, as Black people, had never really understood generational wealth and passing that wealth on, he says. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. Cookie details this story and others in her memoir, Believing in Magic. "This woman here, God let me know why I married her, why he brought us together, Cookie told Roberts. They were very supportive of their son and his career. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. Because of that, she took action and created her own brand. That's a huge milestone for any couple, but especially when one of the involved parties. His most virulent experiences with racism during childhood, however, came on trips down south to visit his grandparents in Mississippi. 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. And they didn't have to worry about trying to test the baby because, really, I mean, he hadn't really formed yet, actually. The Day Magic Johnson Found Out He Was HIV-Positive. And that's what we did.". I guess now I get to enjoy some of the other sides of living.. 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. 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. "You just sit there and say, what does this mean? That same year, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. We have a long way to go. 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. Along with Michael Jordan and Bird, he was part of the American "Dream Team" that won the gold medal. [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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. I'm only as good as Cookie.. On September 14, 2021, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. 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. They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. The NBA star and businesswoman, who met in college, have been together on and off for over 40 years and share two children together. In 1991, he announced that he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. E.J. Johnson is adamant that she never wavered in supporting her husband. If you have new or updated information on Magic Johnson dating status, please send us a tip. Then I said, 'Are you kidding me? Magic Johnson opens up about 30-year marriage to wife Cookie - Yahoo News Cause he never said anything to me the entire night, she explained. Aside from being a best-selling author, Cookie is also a businesswoman. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. How Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? What We Know - Distractify Who is Magic Johnsons Wife, Earletha Cookie Johnson? At the time he learned he had the disease, his wife Cookie was pregnant with their first child. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. Its really sad. The couple has been together on and off for over four decades. And while his HIV is still undetectable, he must take his medication everyday. Powered by. I always live now and in the future. He also made headlines when he came out publicly as gay back in April of 2013 during his sophomore year at New York University. 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. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. It scared me to death, she said. "We both fell on our knees, and we started crying," she tells Robin Roberts. Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. 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. He had married his long-time girlfriend Cookie in September of that year and they were expecting a baby. Magic Johnson Surprised Cookie With A Private Concert By - Essence 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. In a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple said that they are still madly in love with each other and are soul mates. . 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. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. Johnson formally returned to the Lakers in early 2017 as president of basketball operations. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. You know sometimes when you meet people and you have to make conversation until you really get to know them? The couple has three children together: Andre, EJ, and Elisa. 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. However, she was upset when he told her he'd understand if she wanted. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. The two separated, but reunited two weeks later and have since devoted themselves to working on their marriage. 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. NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson was named the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, the organization said in an announcement February 21. We get popcorn. 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 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. Weve lost too many lives that we shouldnt have lost with both Aids and Covid-19, he says, but then he returns to that same sense of optimism. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. ohnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. 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. 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. 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. "And they say, 'Hey, we ran the tests a couple of times, and yes, you do have HIV.' Cookie is the first spokeswoman for the I Stand With Magic campaign with Magic Johnson where they continue to fight against HIV/AIDS. From selling jeans to giving numerous speeches to underprivileged people, Cookie Johnson is much more than just a terrific wife. We're still those kids from Michigan. We're gonna figure out how to beat this thing,'" she recalled. I'm gonna stay here and help you live. She grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and moved to Detroit, Michigan at six years old. ', Byron Scott Calls Natalia Bryant 'a Beautiful Person' After Her Speech Honoring Dad Kobe: 'He Loved His Girls', Who Is Tony Bennett's Wife? So they thought you couldn't touch people, you couldn't hug people," she said. Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive - History "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. No matter where you turned, whether I was coached by one, whether they owned the team I played for, or the partnerships I was trying to create in business everywhere you turned, it was somebody white in charge.. He believed he contracted the disease through unprotected sexual activity. The couple live in Beverly Hills with their family. Magic Johnson Says He Hated Telling His Wife Cookie About - People She said, I couldnt find jeans to fit my body type. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. 20 Years After HIV Announcement, Magic Johnson Emphasizes: "I - PBS Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle (modern). The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have raised three children together, Andre, E.J. While theyve now been married for 30 years, Cookie has built an entire career on her own as well. The wedding was a long time in the making. reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills as well as his own spinoff EJNYC in the 2010s. It frustrated me to try on every pair in the store and leave with nothing.. she said. 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. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? Magic continued to go all out, dedicating three posts to her with a gallery of images of them from over the years. Youve made me a better man, person, husband, father, and businessman. "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. 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. And that's what I love about him. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cookie has a net worth of $50 million. You know, why is he in there so long?' 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. I have pictures of all the Little League stuff I put him in and the baseball teams and the football teams. You know, he was changing the world. "And I didn't want people to treat us like we were lepers. 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. "'I'm looking at you like this sitting on this couch. His career in business did not begin in earnest until his second retirement in the mid-90s. The Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson story is a testament to love, dedication, and commitment to bettering themselves and their community. The latter became a media sensation after her relationship with the basketball icon.
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