NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is sharing one of the most defining and vulnerable moments of his life — the day he revealed his HIV diagnosis to his wife, Cookie. Appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the Hall of Famer revisited the emotional moment, describing it as the “hardest thing” he has ever had to do.
Johnson recalled how the diagnosis shattered the confidence he had in the choices he believed were the right ones. But even in that moment of shock, his first concern wasn’t himself — it was his wife, who was pregnant with their son, EJ.
“She was pregnant with our son EJ, and so how was it going to affect her?” he said, reflecting on the fear and uncertainty that consumed him. The relief that followed was immense when doctors confirmed both Cookie and EJ were healthy.
Johnson remembers the exact day he told her, a moment permanently etched in his memory. Despite his anxiety over how she might react, Cookie responded with unwavering grace and strength. She reassured him they would face the challenge together and encouraged him to believe he still had a long life ahead.
“The first thing she said was, ‘Let’s drop down on our knees and start praying,’” he told Hudson. He reflected on how their faith carried them through and how he truly felt “blessed” to have lived 34 more years after the diagnosis.
In the years that followed, Johnson transformed his private struggle into a public mission. Determined to challenge misconceptions, he began using his platform to educate communities about HIV and AIDS, especially in Black and brown communities where infection rates have historically been high.
“I wanted to make sure I went out and was able to speak about it,” he said. His outreach has taken him to schools, churches, and community spaces across the country, raising awareness and fighting stigma wherever he can.
At 66, Johnson says he is grateful for the opportunity to turn fear into purpose, faith into strength, and his platform into a lifeline for others.
