By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 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. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. Bird was one of the first NBA players Johnson called to inform him of his HIV diagnosis. November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM As for children, Cookie and Magic have two named EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson. When EJ was on the show, Magic told TMZ that he was very happy for his son to be featured. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Did Magic Johnson Get Married. We go to the movies. Its certainly not the America that Magic Johnson came to embody during his heyday with the LA Lakers throughout the 80s. / CBS News. He finally retired for good that same year, leaving behind an impressive legacy. The trick shots, the no-look passing, the celebrity fans and the Playboy bunnies. But there was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her." On September 14, 2021, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary. 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. Theres no way hes going to pick me over all these other women.. "At that time, people weren't educated. Now 29, hes gone on to work in fashion, and starred on the E! Its shocking how many people dont get it. She had a degree in retailing of clothing and textiles. The couple have worked together to promote awareness of the disease, they told Haute Living. And she was dying at that time. Johnson opens up about his 30-year marriage to wife Cookie, saying the couple has come a long way. 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. "And then the worst thing was Cookie was pregnant with E.J. At the "They Call Me Magic" premiere, the NBA legend told Access Hollywood about how he. This is just the start though. "I don't know what would have happened if I'd have got that news that she had HIV as well. In November 1991, Johnson retired from the Lakers after revealing that he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. 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. They got married in September of 1991 in a private ceremony in Lansing, Los Angeles. Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. But he still longed for the game of basketball, and his first retirement would not last long. At that time, when you got something like HIV, there were so many things I didnt know, so they had to educate me about how the virus was going to act in my body, what I could expect. 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. There they faced off against the Indiana State Sycamores. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. Ever since the day I laid eyes on you in 1978 I knew you were the one for me. Like a date, date. He stunned basketball fans and transformed HIV awareness by announcing his diagnosis in 1991. Celebrity traction Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor at a 20 Years of Aids, 20 Years of Hope event in Santa Monica in 2001. I felt bad for him. Heres what you need to know about Cookie: #OnThisDay in 1991 NBA star Magic Johnson marries Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly. In 2008, he shared his secrets for success with the book 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business. High times as guard for Michigan State, Johnson cuts down the net after winning a championship game in Salt Lake City in 1979. This time, however, L.A. was defeated by Philadelphia, losing four consecutive games to the 76ers and winning none during the series. They have inspired many people through their philanthropy works and entrepreneurship ventures that continue to thrive long after they left the NBA world. Earletha Cookie Johnson was born on January 20, 1959, in Alabama. "He said, 'If you want to leave, you know, I don't blame you. But sport also became a vessel to bring students together. ", "Yeah, you're just in disbelief and in shock," Johnson says. And so why am I judging him? Magic said. The two were married in 1991 and have been together ever since. 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. While theyve now been married for 30 years, Cookie has built an entire career on her own as well. Without those two, he says. Rumours swirl that Johnsons wealth now exceeds $1bn. "And that just broke her heart. "We both fell on our knees and we started crying.". At the time of his diagnosis, Johnson thought the virus was a death sentence. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. 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. 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. 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. Just as Black Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV and Aids, so has Covid-19 killed at a racially disproportionate rate. He spent 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring due to contracting HIV in 1991. When did Magic Johnson and Cookie Kelly get married? Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed to the world in 1991 that he was HIV positive and retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, he made for an impressive point guard. In 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. But Cookie came home one day and said something that "changed my life," Johnson said. The One Thing That Almost Cost Magic Johnson His Marriage. Leaving college after two years, Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Elisa has mainly stayed away from the public and maintains a pleasant living. Weve lost too many lives that we shouldnt have lost with both Aids and Covid-19 Johnson. "You're sitting there like, 'Man, how could this happen to me?' When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. But we have this incredible relationship that when we see each other youd think wed been talking every day.. Everything Ive done in my lifetime after that involved whites. I want to dance with these people over here, she said. Johnson met Cookie while she was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines. They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right.. Magic Johnson news, gossip, photos of Magic Johnson, biography, Magic Johnson girlfriend list 2023. As a boy, he practised basketball relentlessly, encouraged by his father, who worked grinding shifts at a local General Motors plant. She wrote her booka few years back, which discusses her choice to stay by her husbands side during his HIV diagnosis instead of leaving. 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. 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. Ultimately, I just prayed to God and said, "God you revealed to me how you feel about this." 2 Magic Johnson and wife, Cookie, have been married since 1991 Who is Magic Johnson's wife Cookie? 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 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. And it has interesting parallels for today, when the world continues to battle another public health crisis. Her fathers name is Earl and her mothers name is Cora. Magic Johnson is rumoured to have hooked up with Kathleen Sullivan . ", "And that's why I came back," he said. 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. 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. Magic became a father in 1981 when his then-girlfriend, Melissa Mitchell, gave birth to a baby boy. 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. For Johnson, seeing Fauci speak about a new epidemic while reflecting on the HIV crisis of the 1980s has been sobering the racial disparities in American healthcare are stark. The following year, he played an important role in taking the Spartans all the way to the NCAA Finals. EJ is a television celebrity, while Elisa has also made appearances on the big screen. It was partly realising the publics general ignorance about the virus that spurred him into a career of advocacy work. Cookie Johnsons Profession and Charitable Interests. I have pictures of all the Little League stuff I put him in and the baseball teams and the football teams. 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. 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. Johnson grew up in the midwestern city of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan. Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. He's very intelligent, and his mindset is like his dad's. ", "I didn't have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. Magics departure from the NBA remains one of the most shocking moments in sports history. Magic Johnsons wife Cookie is a very accomplished woman who has stood by his side for many, many years. Powered by. 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. ", We know that religion says no and I did have a big problem with that and I prayed about it a lot, Cookie said. I was about to say something back, and my father grabbed me. And that trumped everything.". He also made headlines when he came out publicly as gay back in April of 2013 during his sophomore year at New York University. We always went to the movies once a week, she said. According to Cookie, that was the moment she fell in love with him. And it just wasn't his thing. In 1992, he had his latest book, My Life, published. 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. 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. Now they have been married for thirty years. However, she advanced her career and has become a force to reckon with. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. I mean, I had just found out I was pregnant so it was really early in the pregnancy," she 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. "Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life," he wrote. He dreamed of the NBA from a young age. You couldn't hug people. I've been in championships. 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. She said, I couldnt find jeans to fit my body type. Cookie and Magic got married in September 1991, with a small wedding in Lansing, Michigan. In the above clip from "Oprah's Next Chapter," Johnson remembers that fateful day. Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson got married in 1991 in Lansing, Michigan, just 45 days before Magic was diagnosed with HIV. 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 was referred to as "gay cancer" but that's because so little was understood about the disease. [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. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. He also became part-owner of the minor league Dayton Dragons and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. 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. His wife has also recently learned she was pregnant. The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have raised three children together, Andre, E.J. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Magic and Cookie married in LA in September 1991. Relationship history. During the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tried his hand at coaching with the Lakers. 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.. 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 she smacked me upside my head and said, 'We're going to beat this together. We started this in college. [My mind] went to 'He is possibly going to die,'" Johnson told Roberts. How had he acquired the virus? 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. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. Then I said, 'Are you kidding me? When Magic informed Cookie that he had likely contracted the disease via sexual contact, she was more concerned about his well-being. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. His most virulent experiences with racism during childhood, however, came on trips down south to visit his grandparents in Mississippi. She designs a popular brand of jeans that sells throughout luxury department stores in the US called CJ. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. Johnson was born Earvin Johnson Jr. on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? Lets just hope we get this one right, in the black and brown community, because we never really got HIV and Aids right.. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson have been married for 31 years since 14th Sep 1991. view relationship. Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations. March 6, 2022 Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. Cookie is the first spokeswoman for the I Stand With Magic campaign with Magic Johnson where they continue to fight against HIV/AIDS. He taught him the art of aggressive, fast-paced basketball, and how to read the game. From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Cookie was instrumental in creating a program called BREATHE, which works to prevent asthma in young children. "I was a broke college student, and so she had to use her book money so that we could order a pizza and . 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.. "We both fell on our knees, and we started crying," she tells Robin Roberts. And that's what we did.". I had to come to realize that this is who he is, and he's going to be happy. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. They met at a party in their freshman year at Michigan State in 1977. How long have Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson been Married. In the year 1991. "I told Cookie, I said, 'You know what? Even though Johnson had not played a single regular season game, fans voted him onto the NBA All-Star team in 1992. A guy like myself swears by him, he says. They were very supportive of their son and his career. 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. 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. Public perception about the disease at the time was widely regarded with ignorance. Johnson and his wife, Cookie, also have a daughter named Elisa, whom they adopted in 1995. Johnson's son Earvin III was born in 1992. I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. Magic Johnson's parents, Earl and Christine Johnson, were both African American. Back at home, the news tested the strength of their marriage. Johnson recalls asking his doctor. Along with Michael Jordan and Bird, he was part of the American "Dream Team" that won the gold medal. Regardless of his marital status, we are rooting for his. ", Cookie eventually went to the news conference wearing a white suit that she said symbolized "brightness" and "a future.". Relationships. You know, why is he in there so long?' "The doctor tells you and you just laid on the floor. We do simple things. The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team. 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. Johnson explored other options after leaving basketball. A. Earleatha Johnson was born on January 20th, 1959. The wedding ceremony was two months before Magic announced to the world that he was infected with. Johnson said it was a huge relief when his wife's and baby's test results came back negative. She is doing so many different things within the HIV/AIDS world to make sure others arent faced with the same thing eventually because it is truly an awful virus. Advertisement Lakers champion Magic Johnson found a brilliant woman, Cookie, to call his own in 1991. The couple opened up about the impact the diagnosis had on their relationship in an interview with CBS Mornings' Gayle King that aired Thursday. 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. Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. After college, she worked as a fashion buyer for several department stores before marrying Magic on September 14th, 1991. Please enter valid email address to continue. Like Magic, Cookie attended and graduated from Michigan State University. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Nat Sweetwater Cliftons First NBA Season, The True Story of the Michael Jordan Film Air, Michael Jordans Two Requests for The Movie Air, What Sonny Vaccaro Did After Nike Air Jordan Deal, Get to Know NCAA Tournament Star Caitlin Clark. I probably wouldnt be here. He lights up describing the buzz of it. "It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Lansing, like most large cities in the midwest, was de facto segregated. "In those days, you had to wait almost 10 days to get your results back, so that was agonizing. They calmed me down, because I was thinking I was going to die, he says. Just as he had dominated the courts, Johnson became a powerful force in business. Johnson, who was vaccinated in public in April to help combat hesitancy over the jab, feels history repeating itself with a sense of personal sadness. Cookie wrote in her 2016 memoir, Believing in Magic about the night he revealed to her that he had been diagnosed with HIV. After an agonizing wait, the couple soon got some wonderful news. Cookie opened up to Oprah about how Magic broke off. What would he do next? Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. He also appeared on television as a sports commentator. Todd Williamson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images, receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive. Instead, they went to a steak house. "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. 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. . He currently has a voice role on The Proud Family reboot Louder And Prouder. Magic Johnson relationship list. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. And so everything is great. The couple have two children together, Earvin Johnson III(EJ) and Elisa Johnson. We had a great time. They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. Magic Johnson Wife . 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. Cookie Johnson is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and clothing designer. Tensions were also felt on the basketball court: Johnson recalls, in his 1992 autobiography, My Life, that some of his white teammates were initially reluctant to even pass him the ball. 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. Everybody who was somebody during the 80s had to be at the Forum for a Lakers game, because it was the place to be, he says. It was tough, because Cookie was afraid of what might happen, the backlash if we went public. "I was scared to death about the baby. The retired NBA legend and his wife have created a legacy of love, philanthropy, business success, and advocacy that has made them household names. 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. he told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King. 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 inspirational couple has been married for about 31 years but their relationship goes further back in time.

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