In the prime of his career, Magic Johnson had established himself as one of the sport’s biggest megastars. The Los Angeles Lakers icon had dominated the 1980s along with his frenemy, Larry Bird. As the commander of the iconic Showtime Lakers, Johnson has etched his name alongside all-time greats. However, in 1991, the basketball world would receive terrifying news about the five-time champion. The basketball phenom had contracted HIV, which was highly regarded as a death statement in those times. However, Johnson has since been living healthily with the disease over the past three decades. In 2013, he sat down with Oprah Winfrey and revealed the one person who made it possible for him to fight the odds.

Magic and his wife Cookie began their romantic rollercoaster as college sweethearts Since their days in Michigan, the couple has grown together through all the ups and downs. Notably, Cookie has stood by the three-time MVP despite him breaking their engagement three times after learning of his disease. However, the biggest testament to their relationship was arguably when the 63-year-old stood by her NBA husband through his most challenging phase.

In his interview with Oprah, Magic Johnson spoke about the impact his wife had on him staying strong through it all.

Magic Johnson gives all the credit to his wife Cookie

The basketball community stood in shock when Johnson told the world about being HIV-positive. However, the heaviest rock arguably fell on Cookie Johnson. The designer and Magic had been married only six months when they found out. Moreover, she was carrying their first child, EJ. Her heart sank every morning thinking about her son possibly suffering the effects of his father’s diagnosis, as she later revealed in her memoir.

READ MORE – “Thinking It Was a Death Sentence, Cause..”: Emotional Magic Johnson Opened Up About His HIV Diagnosis

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An emotional Magic Johnson even told her he would understand if she wanted to leave. However, Cookie never did. The couple has now been together for over 40 years. And in the interview, Johnson admitted how he wouldn’t have made it without Cookie by his side.

He said, “If she had left me, I wouldn’t be here today.” 

Like his NBA career, Magic Johnson fought the disease with flair and purpose. He and Cookie Johnson started the Magic Johnson Foundation to spread awareness about HIV. Moreover, the three-time Finals MVP even urged the White House and Congress to direct resources toward fighting the deadly virus.

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However, his true victory arguably came when he returned to the court during the 1992 All-Star game. All eyes were on the now businessman who was getting ready to pick out the flashy dimes. That night he went home with the All-Star game MVP honors. Furthermore, he took the podium with Cookie and his family by his side.