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. The wedding ceremony was two months before Magic announced to the world that he was infected with. She had a degree in retailing of clothing and textiles. During The Lakers ShowTime Era, the team was led by capable players, all of whom played a significant role in the 5 Championships that the Lakers won in the 80s. . Aside from being a best-selling author, Cookie is also a businesswoman. "I've played against some of the best basketball players in the world, right? Advertisement Lakers champion Magic Johnson found a brilliant woman, Cookie, to call his own in 1991. Magic Johnson Parents. The couple has been married for 25 years and have three children together. Thats the country. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Now they have been married for thirty years. She said in the book that going through it was like being in her own personal hell filled with silence and darkness, numbness., She wrote that after telling his wife, he locked himself in a room and called the long list of women with whom hed been intimate. Cookie added in the memoir about the night and experience after, In just one moment our world, this perfect union wed fought so hard and so long to have was obliterated.. And that's what I'm doing., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. It was tough, because Cookie was afraid of what might happen, the backlash if we went public. So we had a lot of conversations and a lot of long walks.". We always went to the movies once a week, she said. Cookie Johnson, Magics Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. ", First published on November 4, 2021 / 8:47 AM. 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. Johnson's son Earvin III was born in 1992. The Johnsons adopted their daughter, Elisa, when she was three days old. In her interview with Mocha Man Style, Cookie revealed how they maintain their spark. Today, the Lakers star is a loving father and grandfather, a successful businessman, a philanthropist and the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. Cookie and Magic got married in September 1991, with a small wedding in Lansing, Michigan. I just thought forget it. Johnson said she agonized while she waited for her test results for herself and her unborn child. Fortunately, both his wife and their son, Earvin III, tested negative for HIV. Cookie was also pregnant at the time, which certainly scared her. "I wore that white suit for a reason. Johnson first learned of his diagnosis after a routine physical ahead of the 1991-92 NBA season. Initially opposed to the idea, Johnson reflects on it now as one of the most important experiences of his life. We do simple things. 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. As for children, Cookie and Magic have two named EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson. They had great conversation all night long as if they were old friends. Like Magic, Cookie attended and graduated from Michigan State University. While theyve now been married for 30 years, Cookie has built an entire career on her own as well. 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. A post shared by Cookie Johnson (@thecookiej) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:38pm PST. E.J. 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. In 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson was at the top of his game, about to start his 13th season in the NBA. It scared me to death, she said. There was, of course, his wife, Cookie - the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. Johnson and his wife, Cookie, also have a daughter named Elisa, whom they adopted in 1995. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic said. ", "My doctor had told me that, but it's different hearing it from somebody who's actually going through it," Magic added. I want to dance with these people over here, she said. "Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. "I wanted to make sure that she was going to be okay, the baby was going to be okay, and then I can move forward with making sure I was going to be okay," the former Lakers president said. The Lakers, however, took down the Celtics the following year in the Finals. We, as Black people, had never really understood generational wealth and passing that wealth on, he says. Magic Johnson's wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, is a businesswoman and philanthropist. They started seeing each other January 1, 1991. He now holds stakes in the LA Dodgers baseball team, the womens basketball team LA Sparks and the Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. 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. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' 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. Video related to cookie johnson, magics wife: 5 fast facts you need to know. Its just its not America.. Cookie recounted her exact emotions when Magic told her in a 2016 interview with Good Morning America. Magic Johnson remains relatively discreet when it comes to his love life. You know, why is he in there so long?' "The worst thing about it is I knew I was going to hurt her," he says. Best Known For: Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of the world's best basketball players for more than a decade. Magic said he had a change of heart after a tough conversation with his son. 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. He hoped to return to professional basketball for the next season, but he dropped that plan amidst fear from other players who were concerned about playing with an HIV-positive competitor. Like her brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. 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. At the time of his diagnosis, Johnson thought the virus was a death sentence. After years of unsuccessful dieting, EJ Johnson underwent gastric sleeve surgery when he was 22 years old. 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. Johnson said it was a huge relief when his wife's and baby's test results came back negative. The Magic Johnson Foundation was formed in 1991 to address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Cookie, our 30 year marriage has been the best time of my life, he wrote on Instagram. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. That was the beginning of when I fell in love with him.. 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. He took me on a real date. Johnson and Cookie have one son, . Today, he remains one of the most famous people in the world living with the virus. For the second time in his pro career, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers for the championship title. Although Andre was raised by his mother, he visited Johnson each summer, and later worked for Magic Johnson Enterprises as a marketing director. Denim was always a huge passion of hers growing up so this is truly a dream come true. Theyve continued the tradition long into their marriage, making time for a date each Friday night. As you can see, Cookie Johnson has done a lot of good in her life. It taught me how to work alongside somebody who doesnt look like me, he says. 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. Even today, as were talking about it right now, I still cant believe all the events that happened within a year. 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. A lot of people are afraid to hug and kiss those with HIV or AIDS because theyre afraid theyre going to get it. Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful businesswoman. The latter was adopted in 1995. Cookie Johnsons Profession and Charitable Interests. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Who is Magic Johnsons Wife, Earletha Cookie Johnson? Without those two, he says. Cookie Johnson shares the story from her perspective in her new memoir, "Believing in Magic." That would have been just devastating to me.". And so everything is great. Johnson met Cookie while she was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines. That's not the man I married,'" she recalls telling him. I have pictures of all the Little League stuff I put him in and the baseball teams and the football teams. / CBS News. 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. E.J. It was preceded by the 6 January insurrection in Washington DC, after which the FBI charged a number of militiamen with plotting to kidnap Michigans Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson got married in 1991 in Lansing, Michigan, just 45 days before Magic was diagnosed with HIV. 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. Even though Johnson had not played a single regular season game, fans voted him onto the NBA All-Star team in 1992. . 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. Andre is known for staying out of the public eye. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV. And that's what I love about him. and Elisa. Magic has another son from another woman, 35-year old Andre. She even released a book called Believing in Magic which highlighted the journeys theyve gone through together and how she dealt with the sad news. The couple has three children together: Andre, EJ, and Elisa. And that hurt me. One of the only clubs on the campus. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," he said. He also became part-owner of the minor league Dayton Dragons and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. In the clip below, Cookie opens up about how Magic broke off their wedding twice before they wed in 1991, saying, "I was close to a nervous breakdown, I felt.". And what does this mean, of course. And the medical experts Dr David Ho and Dr Anthony Fauci assured him that he could go on to live a healthy life. Ultimately you want your child to be happy, she said. "God blessed us when the test results came back on her and the baby that she didn't have HIV and the baby didn't either," Johnson says. Weve been through everything together, Cookie later said of she and Magics relationship, per Essence. I mean, it was very early on.. Professional rivalry and racial dynamics Larry Bird of Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson during the 1984 NBA Finals at the Forum in Los Angeles. The soul comes from her [Cookie]. I'm gonna stay here and help you live. 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. You know, he was changing the world. She has always been a woman of charitable interests. Earvin "Magic" Johnson dominated the court as one of the world's best basketball players for more than a decade. Along with Michael Jordan and Bird, he was part of the American "Dream Team" that won the gold medal. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael Mellman could deliver the news in person. So, are they still in touch? Relationships. "I just sat her down and began to tell her that I had HIV," he says. [Magic] was standing there by the doorway when I walked in with a friend of mine, she said. Cause he never said anything to me the entire night, she explained. Magic became a father in 1981 when his then-girlfriend, Melissa Mitchell, gave birth to a baby boy. But the toughest part of his diagnosis, he said, was to drive home and tell his wife. 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. Plus other revelations from Cookie Johnson's new memoir, Believing in Magic. Earletha Cookie Johnson was born on January 20, 1959, in Alabama. reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills as well as his own spinoff EJNYC in the 2010s. 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. She stands at 5 foot 6 inches. Johnson excelled during his freshman year, helping his team clinch the Big Ten Conference title. Instead, they went to a steak house. Let's get on our knees and pray.' 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. They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right.. "It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' From a large family, Johnson grew up with nine brothers and sisters. "And she smacked me upside my head and said, 'We're going to beat this together. We're gonna figure out how to beat this thing,'" she recalled. ", In a 2021 interview with Gayle King on CBS, he explained how his decision and diagnosis weighed on his relationship with Cookie. She grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and moved to Detroit, Michigan at six years old. And she was dying at that time. He is less coy, though, when describing the reason he sought wealth, and was not content with the riches of his earnings as a player. When Did Magic Johnson Get Married. Magic wore a white tuxedo while Cookie looked stunning in her off-shoulder lace gown with puffed sleeves. When Magic informed Cookie that he had likely contracted the disease via sexual contact, she was more concerned about his well-being. He ended up retiring again before returning to the sport he loved one more time in 1996. Its really sad. Her brand is sold in over 500 specialty stores in the United States. 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. Your login session has expired. 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. 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. I dont live in the past, he says. https://t.co/ZOn80OKybA pic.twitter.com/VvUpELS7h2, Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) September 14, 2016. In the years following Magics diagnosis, he and Cookie have remained active in combating HIV and AIDS. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, he made for an impressive point guard. She said, I couldnt find jeans to fit my body type. I'm only as good as Cookie.. A. Thirty years on, he discusses his relationship with Anthony Fauci, the meaning of money and why hes still optimistic. 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. Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. When Magic retired from the NBA, he became a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS prevention. Magic continued to go all out, dedicating three posts to her with a gallery of images of them from over the years. 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. "I told Cookie, I said, 'You know what? He and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson have been married since 1991. 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. "I'm asking him 100 times, 'Are you sure?'" There are so many misconceptions out there, and because of that, it has caused so much discrimination. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The latter became a media sensation after her relationship with the basketball icon. It was partly realising the publics general ignorance about the virus that spurred him into a career of advocacy work. It was nothing but a strong sense of trust and commitment that kept them from calling it quits on their relationship. That hurt me." 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. I guess now I get to enjoy some of the other sides of living.. Thats who I am.. He also made headlines when he came out publicly as gay back in April of 2013 during his sophomore year at New York University. His most virulent experiences with racism during childhood, however, came on trips down south to visit his grandparents in Mississippi. "That was a difficult day.". The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. Are we where were supposed to be? 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Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. The inspirational couple has been married for about 31 years but their relationship goes further back in time. How Magic Johnson Told His Wifeand Ex-LoversHe Had HIV. In the year 1991. In the above clip from "Oprah's Next Chapter," Johnson remembers that fateful day. She wrote in her memoir that things came to a head at an industry party, when Magic wasnt interested in dancing with her. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. After selling his stake in the Lakers in 2010, Johnson joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. 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. Venice is absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed touring the city by water taxi! Now, how can I help you?". Public perception about the disease at the time was widely regarded with ignorance. He was called back home from a pre-season game in Utah, so that Lakers team physician Dr. Michael . Its certainly not the America that Magic Johnson came to embody during his heyday with the LA Lakers throughout the 80s. You couldn't hug people. The 63-year-old American basketball player is married to Cookie Johnson. "I was a broke college student, and so she had to use her book money so that we could order a pizza and . They have inspired many people through their philanthropy works and entrepreneurship ventures that continue to thrive long after they left the NBA world. It was because of her upbringing that she developed an interest in helping others. "'You know, the man I married was a hard worker. Were finally starting to understand that. After receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive, Magic announced in a press conference that he was leaving basketball in order to dedicate his life to "battl[ing] this deadly disease. "At that time, people weren't educated, so they thought you couldn't touch people. There was, of course, his wife, Cookie the love of his life, whom he had met at college and had recently married. We dont have to stay in touch with each other, thats not what we do, he says, describing a friendship forged in unique circumstances. ", "It proved to be the right decision," he said. 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. He knows how he wants it done. went on to become a reality star of Es Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and his own spinoff show, EJNYC, which premiered this summer. From selling jeans to giving numerous speeches to underprivileged people, Cookie Johnson is much more than just a terrific wife. I've been in championships. "I didn't know," Johnson says. The retired NBA legend and his wife have created a legacy of love, philanthropy, business success, and advocacy that has made them household names. Johnson is adamant that she never wavered in supporting her husband. We had a great time. He wanted to own his own NBA franchise and had harboured a desire to make and create wealth from a young age. (modern). Cookie was previously a college basketball player and later became a successful. 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. When did Magic Johnson and Cookie Kelly get married? Together, Magic and Cookie have been blessed with two children Earvin III (also known as EJ) who was born on June 4, 1992, and Elisa who was born on December 21, 1995. Over his long career, Johnson scored 17,707 points and recorded 10,141 assists, 6,559 rebounds and 1,724 steals. While Magic testing positive for HIV was devastating, its given Cookie a platform to make a difference. Just as he had dominated the courts, Johnson became a powerful force in business. ", "I didn't have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. She is an entrepreneur and writer. We go to the movies. He was raised by his mom and would visit his. 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.. Just as Black Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV and Aids, so has Covid-19 killed at a racially disproportionate rate. During the 1993-1994 basketball season, Johnson tried his hand at coaching with the Lakers. The couple celebrated 25 years of marriage in Italy in September 2016 with a big party and trip to Europe. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. But he still longed for the game of basketball, and his first retirement would not last long. Tall order Johnson shoots for Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in c 1977 in East Lansing, Michigan. We met in college as freshmen [at Michigan State]. ", "Yeah, you're just in disbelief and in shock," Johnson says. Earvin "Magic" Johnson says telling his wife Cookie about his HIV diagnosis was the "toughest" thing he's ever had to do. And as time went on, it never changed.. And so why am I judging him? Magic said. A guy like myself swears by him, he says. Johnsons father didnt fly, so the family would drive 900 miles (1,450km) on a two-day trip. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. Magic Johnsons Son E.J. I mean, I fell to my knees," she told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts. The two separated, but reunited two weeks later and have since devoted themselves to working on their marriage. You need to get up and figure that out.'". The announcement, 20 years ago today, came as a shock: "Because of the HIV virus I have obtained, I will have to retire today from the Lakers," Earvin "Magic" Johnson, with his wife Cookie . Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, 63, was born in Huntsville, Alabama. During Johnson's third season (1981-1982) with the team, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again. On 7 November 1991, a press conference in Inglewood, California, brought America to a standstill. Maybe I should look at playing one more time," Johnson said, noting that he wanted to "end it the right way. Its shocking how many people dont get it. "At that time, people weren't educated. 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. Johnson joined president George W Bushs national Aids commission and then publicly quit after eight months, lambasting the presidents inaction. Cookie Johnson is 64 years of age. It was sobering, says Johnson, to see Dr Fauci out front and centre again, during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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. Magic and Cookie created the Magic Johnson Foundation in an effort to develop and fund programs that are geared at preventing HIV/AIDS while also providing testing, treatment and scholarships. And he was like, "Love your child." Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years.
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