BreAnna Bell When Earvin “Magic” Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to the world in 1991, not much was known about the immune disease and fear was high.
Johnson didn’t know what his future would look like, or how the world would receive the news. But, as he tells Variety, he knew that he still wanted to be with his wife, Cookie, forever.
And the feeling was mutual. Despite the odds being against the Lakers legend, he went on to play for several more years until retiring in 1996.
Magic and Cookie Johnson became HIV/AIDS activists, aiming to educate the public and raise funds for medical research. Through their Magic Johnson foundation, the couple has given over $15 million to underserved Black and other communities of color across the country.
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