The day Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis, he expressed his plans to keep living. 30 years since he last played in the NBA, he’s thriving mentally and physically. A huge credit for it goes to Earlitha “Cookie” Kelly, his wife and ride-or-die. They married in 1991, the year Johnson announced his retirement, and have been inseparable. Where Magic was the entrepreneur, health advocate, and hypeman of every generation, Cookie was the philanthropist and unshakeable support for a lot of people, be it Shaquille O’Neal, his ex Shaunie, or even Magic. While Johnson has proven HIV is not the life-ending sentence it once was, he will always proclaim it wouldn’t be possible without his wife.

Johnson told People Magazine in April that Cookie kept him on top of his health. “So I’ve done my part, the medicine’s done its part, and then my wife stays on me to make sure I’m doing my part.”

On November 7, 1991, when Magic Johnson called a press conference at The Forum, his retirement was the last thing everyone expected. Much less the revelation of an HIV diagnosis. To this day, his speech was moving and aimed at ending the stigma surrounding HIV around that time. In that speech, he thanked his teammates, Jerry West, NBA Commissioner David Stern, and his doctors. When he brought up Cookie Johnson, he said, “My wife is fine.” 

They met as students at Michigan, but their relationship turned rocky through Magic’s NBA fame. Shortly after they married, Cookie found out she was expecting their first child together. Two days later, Magic told her about his diagnosis before the press conference. Cookie and her baby were fine. EJ would be born healthy the following year. And Magic and Cookie are stronger than ever.

Cookie and Magic Johnson spread hope

After 1991, the 5x champion and his wife remained in the Los Angeles Lakers circle. Magic officially retired for good in 1996, the year they acquired his prodigy, Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq met his now ex, Shaunie in LA, who’d find a lifelong friendship with the Johnsons.

Shaunie Henderson illustrated in her book, Undefeated, that Cookie had a presence about her. Both Cookie and Shaunie weren’t welcomed warmly by Lakers WAGs at different times. But Shaunie was embraced by Cookie and the Basketball Wives star still adores her for that.

Helping is second nature to Cookie. While Magic ended false perceptions of his condition by just living and flashing his signature smile, Cookie is no slouch either. As the head of her and Magic’s multiple nonprofits, she’s raised funds for HIV research, care, and awareness. She’s also a vocal advocate for women’s and reproductive health. With a cheerleader like Cookie, you can see where Magic is coming from.