Magic johnson first wife

Magic Johnson has been married to his wife, , for over three decades.

Although the former professional basketball star is famous worldwide for leading the Los Angeles LakersAfter meeting at Michigan State University in 1978 and dating on and off for over a decade, the couple got married in 1991 and later welcomed two children.

"The reason I live today, and the reason I work as hard today, is for my wife and my family," Magic told PEOPLE in September 2016.

On Nov. 7, 1991, nearly two months after getting married, Magic announced his HIV diagnosis and retirement from the NBA. However, she remained by his side, with Magic crediting her loyalty for saving his life.

So, who is Magic Johnson's wife?

She was born in Alabama

She is the middle child of two siblings, an older sister and a younger brother. According to AL.com, she was named after her father Earl, and her mother, Cora, who originally nicknamed her "Kookie" after Edd Byrnes' character from the 77 Sunset Strip series.

"But Huntsville is where my roots are."

She met Magic in college

Magic, a freshman, was already a well-known local athlete when the two crossed paths at a party on campus before Christmas break.

"I never asked her to dance," he said in his 2016 interview with PEOPLE. "I just watched her dance, and I said, 'I've got to get to know that woman.'"

Before leaving the party, he asked for her number and called her consistently throughout the break. They began dating when school resumed the following semester.

She and Magic got married in 1991

The longtime couple wed in an intimate ceremony in Lansing, Michigan — Magic's hometown — on Sept. 14, 1999. Their road to the altar was not an easy one, though.

He almost broke off the engagement as well because he had some hesitations and doubts about marriage. They Call Me Magic. She recalled telling him: "Well, you know, after all we've been through, that's not … I can't do that. So, if you're gonna break the engagement, we're breaking up."

The NBA star celebrated their 32nd anniversary with a sweet Instagram Reel showing photos of the couple over the years.

captioned the post.

"I appreciate your everlasting love and encouragement you give me each and every day," he added.

She shares two children with Magic

Earvin "EJ" Johnson III, in 1992, and in 1994, the couple adopted their daughter, Elisa Johnson. stepmom to Magic's oldest child

The family is known for their public appearances together on the red carpet. E.J. also starred on season 4 of E!'s Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and his own spinoff series, EJNYC.

She and Magic were born the same year

20, 1959, and Magic was born on Aug. 14 of the same year.

In 2019, the two hosted a weekend-long party for their joint 60th birthday in St. Tropez, France, featuring celebrity guests like Jennifer Lopez, Spike Lee and Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney B. Vance.

Instagram, writing, "What an incredible start to celebrating our 60th birthdays yesterday, I can't wait to see what Earvin has planned for tonight!!"

She takes an annual yacht trip with Magic

Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J. In 2021, the group traced a route from Greece to Italy, stopping at ports in Capri, Sorrento and Sardinia.

Their 281-foot yacht was decked out with seven guest suites, a gym, a hair salon and two massage rooms. It also featured a full bar and a party deck.

"A beautiful day in Zakynthos, Greece overlooking the city with two of our best friends on this earth who we love dearly," Magic captioned a photo on InstagramHolly Robinson and Rodney Peete.

In July 2023, the couple chartered a 296-foot superyacht with their friends Jackson and Judge Greg Mathis, and their respective wives. The group visited ports in Italy, France and Greece. While in Capri, they enjoyed dinner with Michael Jordan and his wife, Yvette Prieto, at the world-famous Da Paolino Ristorante.

photo shoot in Santorini, Greece. All the women donned "flying dresses," which featured long, dramatic trains.

" the basketball commentator wrote on Instagram alongside a series of photos.

She was by Magic's side when he was diagnosed with HIV

"There was no greater pressure than driving home to tell her," Magic later told CBS Mornings' Gayle King

She proceeded to be tested for HIV herself. "

"It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' And that trumped everything," she said.

"At that time, people weren't educated, so they thought you couldn't touch people. You couldn't hug people.

"It was difficult. We cried for a couple of days just holding each other," Magic told PEOPLE in 2016. "

"I wore that white suit for a reason," she said in the CBS Mornings interview. "I didn't want to wear anything dark or black because to me, it's what it symbolized. And the white suit, to me, symbolized brightness, like a future basically [and] positivity."

Magic is now an HIV activist and spokesperson and has been praised for helping to combat the stigma surrounding the disease.

She was supportive when her son EJ came out as gay

EJ initially came out as gay to his mom in his early teens before coming out to Magic about a year later.

Oprah Winfrey in 2016.

After much thought, she decided, "'This child is innocent. He was like this when he was a baby; it can't be wrong. It can't be wrong.' "

She told Winfrey, "This was one of those moments where I had to go directly to God, and I prayed … and the answer I got back was love. And he said, you know, 'I give you all great gifts, and the greatest of that gift is love.' "

"And so, that's when I knew I could love my son and support him on who he was, and I was okay with it," she concluded.

EJ came out publicly in 2013 and has openly discussed gender identity and sexuality. As he entered the spotlight, his love for gender-fluid fashion stirred curiosity about the possibility of transitioning. In a conversation on E!'s Just the Sip podcast, EJ said he doesn't see himself transitioning in his future.

"I'm just very comfortable in my own skin. I like my body," he said.

Gabrielle Union has since in her quest to support her stepchild Zaya, Dwyane Wade's child from a previous relationship, who came out as transgender.

"And literally, every step of the way, in my career, in his [Wade] career, they have been there."

She's a best-selling author

Believing in Magic. In it, she detailed how she supported Magic after his diagnosis and shared how his health battle shaped their marriage.

She's a philanthropist and businesswoman

The same year he was diagnosed with HIV, Magic founded the Magic Johnson Foundation to help raise awareness of the disease and educate people on prevention and treatment. website. She is also an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and uses "her voice & platform, through speaking engagements and supporting organizations that relate to that community."

When she realized countless women shared her experience, she set out to create jeans that fit women whose bodies existed outside of the fashion industry standards.

Feed the Children, and advocates for them through various events.

She and Magic have attended numerous high-profile events together

In May 2024, the pair traveled to France for the amfAR Gala, which takes place annually at the iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.