The Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players in the world. He dominated the hardwood during his stint with the Showtime Lakers in the 80s, but it didn’t last long. The Lakers star suffered one of the cruellest setbacks that one could probably imagine in their career. In 1991, Johnson contracted HIV, months after he married his high school sweetheart, Earlitha Cookie Johnson. The incident eventually put him in life and death situation. In an interview, he once opened up about the driving force that saved his life.

The Lakers selected Magic Johnson as the #1 overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft. He dominated the game with his crafty playmaking and ‘Magic’ on the hardwood. Most notably, he played his entire NBA career representing the Lakers and winning five NBA championships in the process. He further continued his duty as the President of basketball operations for the Lakers for a while after his retirement.

Magic Johnson revealed the driving force that saved his life

During an ABC News interview in 2016, Magic Johnson opened up about his life experiences, dealing with HIV. Robin Roberts, the host of the show asked Johnson, “You thought that you could not play ball anymore, how did you all find as a family that strength?” The Lakers legend quickly credited his wife, Cookie Johnson for saving his life during that period.

Johnson proclaimed, “This woman (Cookie Johnson) here, god let me know why I married her because losing her I probably wouldn’t be here, I’d probably be dead.” Magic made it clear that he wouldn’t have made it without the love and support of his dedicated wife. She provided him the necessary motivation to battle his ailment and stay healthy.

Cookie Johnson stood by her husband even after learning about the dreadful situation in Magic’s life. In the 90s, there was so much stigma surrounding the HIV illness, that Cookie’s dedication is particularly commendable. Moreover, Mrs. Johnson accompanied Magic during the press meet in 1991 where he broke the news of his disease to the world. However, the NBA legend battled the disease effectively and even returned to the hardwood to win an Olympic gold medal for the 1992 Dream Team.

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Magic wrote a beautiful message to his wife

Though the couple faced a lot of hiccups in the initial stages of their marriage, they have now completed over 30 years of their marriage. Johnson wrote a beautiful note for his wife on their wedding anniversary in 2019. He wrote, “Marrying you was one of my best decisions, I’ve ever made.”

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What do you think about the bond between Magic and Cookie? Let us know in the comments.