Magic Johnson on the emotional toll of his HIV diagnosis on his marriage with Cookie Johnson.(Image via Getty Images)
Magic Johnson, the NBA legend, has turned into a popular spokesperson for surviving healthily for decades with an HIV diagnosis.While Magic Johnson took an early retirement in 1991 when he was only 32 years old, the NBA legend has been public about what he felt when he had to inform his wife, Cookie, about his diagnosis.
Magic Johnson shared what he felt when he had to tell Cookie about his HIV diagnosis
In an old interview, the NBA legend Magic Johnson said, “The toughest thing I thought I had to do was play Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. But actually, the toughest thing I had to do was to drive home and tell Cookie about HIV…”
To make matters worse, Magic Johnson’s wife, Cookie Johnson, was pregnant with their first child when he was diagnosed with HIV.Fortunately, Cookie Johnson got herself tested just days later and both she and their then unborn child tested negative for HIV.
The NBA legend Magic Johnson has been public about how he wanted his wife, Cookie, to end their marriage when he was diagnosed with HIV.However, even though the HIV diagnosis put a tough strain on Magic Johnson’s marriage, Cookie has stayed strong beside him.
Magic Johnson shares how being vocal about HIV was both a “blessing and a curse” in his life
A few years ago, in a heartfelt interview with Ebony, Magic Johnson said, “The blessing is that a lot of people went out and got tested after seeing me with it, so it raised the awareness level…”The NBA legend added, “Then the curse is because of the fact that I’m doing so well, now young people say, ‘I can be like Magic …’ People have died in 22 years since I’ve had this.
People are still dying, and young people have to understand that.”Over the last few decades, Magic Johnson has been vocal about dismissing rumors of HIV and how to prevent and survive it.Back in 1991, when Magic Johnson announced his retirement, it sparked shockwaves across the league.But his HIV confession divided fans and peers, as many were shocked by the courage it took Magic Johnson to go public with his diagnosis.Despite the shaming he faced back then, Magic Johnson has been vocal about HIV prevention and the things that should be taught to teenagers from a pretty young age.
