“It’s a Burden”: HIV Fighter Magic Johnson Once Disclosed Hardships of Overcoming Life-Threatening Disease

Magic Johnson’s retirement from the NBA in 1991 shook the world. The Los Angeles Lakers was in his prime, having won five championships in the previous decade. But when Magic broke the HIV news with an abrupt retirement from the league, the basketball community suffered a massive setback.

Since then, the NBA veteran has recovered, championed causes that benefit people with similar struggles, and has become a billionaire. Summoning strength, resilience, and courage, Magic has been through much in his life.

However, despite overcoming such hardships, Magic revealed during a 2011 interview that he still carries the burden of what happened back then. He said, “It’s a burden trying to keep a secret.” He also had a message for the people who are going through the same struggles and have no one to rely on. He said, “If your uncle don’t want to be your uncle no more, get another uncle.” In his case, Magic felt like he was “blessed” to have the support of his family after the diagnosis, but he realizes that the reality is harsh for others. The NBA veteran also had a strong message for young people, especially women on what they can learn from his story.

“Especially coming from me: I am living with this virus. I don’t want [my kids] to ever have it, so I have to tell them … what can happen to them if they do the same thing I did,” Magic said.

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Magic Johnson revealed that he is not “cured”

Magic survived something as life-threatening and feared as HIV and is thankfully still with us. The NBA veteran did several campaigns to raise awareness about HIV because there were a lot of stigmas surrounding it at the time. He even made a public service announcement alongside Yao Ming where he stated, “You can’t get AIDS from a hug or a handshake or a meal with a friend.” As heroic as the tale might sound, the Lakers legend set the record straight by saying he is not cured.

He said, “Well, I’m not cured. I’m just…taking my meds, doing what I’m supposed to do, and… thank god that the virus, HIV virus in my blood system and my body have laid dead in a sense and we don’t want anything to wake it up.” For Magic, life has been a roller coaster ride where he has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The most important thing to learn from his story is to get yourself educated on things and never back down from a challenge.

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