He's very intelligent, and his mindset is like his dad's. Johnsons father didnt fly, so the family would drive 900 miles (1,450km) on a two-day trip. A. Earleatha Johnson was born on January 20th, 1959. And so why am I judging him? Magic said. As for children, Cookie and Magic have two named EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson. Johnson and his wife, Cookie, also have a daughter named Elisa, whom they adopted in 1995. Mellman told him he had a chance to live for a long time with all the new drugs that were being developed, Johnson said. "And she smacked me upside my head and said, 'We're going to beat this together. 'Cookie' Johnson, Magic's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know 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. Thats the country. went on to become a reality star of Es Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and his own spinoff show, EJNYC, which premiered this summer. Showtime Johnson on court for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics at The Forum, LA, in 1988. reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills as well as his own spinoff EJNYC in the 2010s. Magic Johnson Credits Wife with Helping Him Get Through HIV Diagnosis He had always expected to go to his local high school on the citys west side with its renowned basketball team. Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive - History Undeterred, Johnson played in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He would sit on the couch and watch the Lakers play, thinking, "I should be there," he recalls. Magics departure from the NBA remains one of the most shocking moments in sports history. Ultimately, I just prayed to God and said, "God you revealed to me how you feel about this." Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. 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. 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. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Today, sitting in his offices in California, in a brown executive chair, that famous, dimpled smile beaming down the camera over Zoom, Johnson finds it hard to fathom that this year marks three decades since his diagnosis. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. Its just its not America.. BASKETBALL legend, Magic Johnson has been married to his wife, Cookie, since 1991. Both of them were set to go home for Christmas break the next day. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. A post shared by Cookie Johnson (@thecookiej) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:38pm PST. 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. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," he said. 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. "'You know, the man I married was a hard worker. 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. Johnson recalls asking his doctor. Your login session has expired. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. 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. That would have been just devastating to me.". Thats who I am.. And that's what I love about him. 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. Two decades later, Magic and Cookie are still married. We get popcorn. 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. 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. The couple never kept it secret that their son, Earvin Johnson III, who goes by E.J., is gay, but Cookie and Magic Johnson explained how they came to terms with it. After that, his focus finally began to shift. From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. Johnson excelled during his freshman year, helping his team clinch the Big Ten Conference title. She educated parents and caregivers on the importance of immunizing children in urban areas against various viruses. And a few months later, he would play on the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team. And that trumped everything," she told CBS News. 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. 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. November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM Theres no way hes going to pick me over all these other women.. After an agonizing wait, the couple soon got some wonderful news. Johnson said it was a huge relief when his wife's and baby's test results came back negative. The couple was overjoyed, but a call from the L.A. Laker's team doctor changed everything. The couple, who met as students at Michigan State University in the 1970s, had married about a month before his diagnosis and they had just learned about her pregnancy. Johnson joined president George W Bushs national Aids commission and then publicly quit after eight months, lambasting the presidents inaction. I hope we can turn a corner. Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. On September 14, 1991, Magic Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. Johnson and his team continued to be one of the NBA's top competitors throughout the rest of the 1980s. But sport also became a vessel to bring students together. Who is Magic Johnson's wife Cookie? | The US Sun 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. In the 1984 NBA Finals, Johnson again encountered rival Bird, who had signed with the Boston Celtics. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. Today, Johnson runs point in the boardroom as CEO of his namesake company, an investment company focused on providing high-quality products and services to underserved communities. Cookie Johnson, Magics Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He currently has a voice role on The Proud Family reboot Louder And Prouder. We met in college as freshmen [at Michigan State]. And I was still trying to figure it out. So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". Johnson explored other options after leaving basketball. How Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? What We Know - Distractify "Yeah, I got cut. Without those two, he says. She is an entrepreneur and writer. 10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Magic Johnson, Birth Year: 1959, Birth date: August 14, 1959, Birth State: Michigan, Birth City: Lansing, Birth Country: United States. It's OK. (modern). Lansing, like most large cities in the midwest, was de facto segregated. Its really sad. Both of his parents workedhis father for the General Motors plant in town and his mother as a school custodian. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' "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.". There was, of course, his wife, Cookie - the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. There were his teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, who embraced him, and . 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. confirmed that the reality star had gone under the knife in August 2014 after hinting. She has always been a woman of charitable interests. It was tough, because Cookie was afraid of what might happen, the backlash if we went public. Earlitha Cookie Kelly and Earvin Magic Johnson (Getty). I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. Ultimately you want your child to be happy, she said. I thank God every day for you and for bringing you into my life! Magic Johnson Says He & Cookie Johnson Would've Divorced 'Fast - Yahoo "At that time, people weren't educated, so they thought you couldn't touch people. 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. Cookie had been pregnant when Magic broke the news to her, but both have since been given the all clear on a potential diagnoses. On September 14, 2021, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. He is bashful, however, when I ask about this and says only: Im happy Ive got a great life and that my kids are going to be fine.. His public appearances always make Johnson smile, but his treatment by former president Donald Trump, who often outwardly shunned the countrys foremost infectious disease expert, was infuriating. Plus other revelations from Cookie Johnson's new memoir, Believing in Magic. They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. A post shared by Elisa J. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. The Day Magic Johnson Found Out He Was HIV-Positive. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 31 Years Later, Magic Johnson Reflects On Contracting HIV - EBONY Johnson has never watched a recording of that press conference. There they faced off against the Indiana State Sycamores. Johnson at an international symposium on HIV and Aids in Tokyo in 1993. 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. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cookie Johnson's estimated worth is about $50 million. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . I felt bad for him. At the time of his diagnosis, Johnson thought the virus was a death sentence. Let's get on our knees and pray.' Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of the world's best basketball players for more than a decade. His father would send his children in groups of three to use the bathroom at truck stops to watch each others backs. 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. He had all these ideas. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. We do simple things. 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. In November 1991, Johnson retired from the Lakers after revealing that he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. "You just sit there and say, what does this mean? . It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. 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. Since retiring from basketball, Johnson has become an investment tycoon operating Magic. Powered by. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? went public with his sexual orientation in 2013 and owned his public debut as the news was picked up by entertainment sites. In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in a small wedding in Lansing which included guests Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. 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. I know when I come here [home], I'm not Magic. And what I would find out later is that is the way America is. "Yes, because I was scared to death," he said. Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations. E.J., when he walks in a room, this is the most confident guy. The Celtics beat the Lakers in a tight competitionfour games to threefor the 1984 championship. 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. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. Johnson came out as gay to his family at the age of 17 and came out publicly in 2013 after a report by TMZ published pictures of him holding hands with a male friend. "I was scared to death about the baby. / CBS News. We see each other at events. Who Is NCAA Tournament Star Brandon Miller? While their early days werent the easiest, the couple has stuck it out together and continues to be advocates against HIV/AIDS. The couple has been together on and off for over four decades. Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. And that trumped everything.". "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? And they didn't have to worry about trying to test the baby because, really, I mean, he hadn't really formed yet, actually. Who is Magic Johnson dating? Magic Johnson girlfriend, wife The inspirational couple has been married for about 31 years but their relationship goes further back in time. 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.. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. We're gonna figure out how to beat this thing,'" she recalled. Magic and Cookie had been married just over a month when Los Angeles Lakers team doctor Micahel Mellman delivered the devastating news in 1991. Denim was always a huge passion of hers growing up so this is truly a dream come true. "I ended it the way I wanted it to end.". "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 is one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. 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. He and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson have been married since 1991. I went to Bible study, talked to a Bible study teacher about it a lot. Cookie also has authored a best-selling book about her and Magic Johnsons life named Believing in Magic. Sometimes were going in different directions and its so important for marriages to find that time to reconnect., Joshua Jackson Reveals How His Wife Really Feels About His Sex Scenes, Lukas Gage & Chris Appletons Relationship Timeline Is Short AF, Drake Bell's Wife Janet Von Schmeling Files For Divorce, Rachel Weisz & Daniel Craigs Relationship Timeline Includes Babies & Broadway, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. That was the beginning of when I fell in love with him.. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. [My mind] went to 'He is possibly going to die,'" Johnson told Roberts. ", During the ride home, Johnson says he thought about how he would break the devastating news to her. I'm gonna stay here and help you live. They have inspired many people through their philanthropy works and entrepreneurship ventures that continue to thrive long after they left the NBA world. Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. ", "And that's why I came back," he said. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. (@elisajohnson) on May 28, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT, EJ was a star on the reality TV show, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.. It was sobering, says Johnson, to see Dr Fauci out front and centre again, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Magic Johnson got married on September 14, 1991, to Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. In. Johnson says he told her, "I can understand if you want to leave me because I'm now turning your life upside down," he says. When Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to his new wife, Cookie Johnson, in 1991, she didn't turn and run away. Cookie Johnsons Profession and Charitable Interests. He finally retired for good that same year, leaving behind an impressive legacy. . I thought he was going to take me to Arbys, she said. That real talk proved effective. Magic Johnsons wife Cookie is a very accomplished woman who has stood by his side for many, many years. A guy like myself swears by him, he says. 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. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, he made for an impressive point guard. 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. According to Cookie, Magics ego reached outsized proportions in 2001 after his name was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 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. 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. But she was able to meet with both of us and really help us, you know, really calm us down. 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. This time, however, L.A. was defeated by Philadelphia, losing four consecutive games to the 76ers and winning none during the series. High times as guard for Michigan State, Johnson cuts down the net after winning a championship game in Salt Lake City in 1979. The couple opened up about the impact the diagnosis had on their relationship in an interview with CBS Mornings' Gayle King that aired Thursday. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her.". The Day Magic Johnson Found Out He Was HIV-Positive Thirty years on, he discusses his relationship with Anthony Fauci, the meaning of money and why hes still optimistic. He wore a white tux and she a white gown and large tiara. The NBA star and businesswoman, who met in college, have been together on and off for over 40 years and share two children together. 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. ET on OWN. You couldn't hug people. 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. And he's gonna be just that. No. He then bought a small share of the team. It was everything rolled into one. How long have Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson been Married. Please enter valid email address to continue. Jun 10, 2014, 02:02 PM EDT | Updated Dec 6, 2017. Cause he never said anything to me the entire night, she explained. And so everything is great. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. 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. 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. . They met at a party in their freshman year at Michigan State in 1977. "It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Today, the Lakers star is a loving father and grandfather, a successful businessman, a philanthropist and the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. Magic has another son from another woman, 35-year old Andre. We always went to the movies once a week, she said. And as time went on, it never changed.. You know sometimes when you meet people and you have to make conversation until you really get to know them? Magic has had his wife Cookie along for the ride. That's not the man I married,'" she recalls telling him. She grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and moved to Detroit, Michigan at six years old. Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle However, she was upset when he told her he'd understand if she wanted. 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. And it has interesting parallels for today, when the world continues to battle another public health crisis. But I also knew that Earvin didn't understand. His oldest son Andre is also an entrepreneur who worked first for his fathers Magic Johnson Enterprises and then later became the Vice President of Business Development at Mythical Games. Magic Johnson's Wife Cookie: How They Met, Married, Kids - Parade She attended an all-black school called Council Training School and later graduated from Michigan State University in 1981 which is where she met Magic Johnson. "And then the worst thing was Cookie was pregnant with E.J. Magic Johnson Wife . When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured.
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