For basketball fans, NBA All-Star legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson may be best known for his feats on the basketball court as a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. For some members of the HIV community, Johnson has also been an inspirational pioneer in HIV advocacy, challenging widespread stigma about the disease. His decision in 1991 to share his HIV-positive diagnosis live on television was monumental. At the time, there was widespread misinformation about HIV, including who could contract it and how it was spread.

“I thank you, MAGIC! I thank you for standing tall and motivating many! God knows that you didn’t have to do it!” wrote one myHIVteam member.

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, Johnson has been the subject of several documentaries. More recently, Johnson’s personal and professional life took center court in the 2022 docuseries “They Call Me Magic,” streaming on Apple TV+.

In an interview, Johnson noted how his story reflects many highs, including winning NBA championships and pursuing successful business ventures. However, he also shared the lows of his life, saying “When I announced HIV, people thought it was a death sentence, including myself.”

In recognition of Johnson’s bravery and commitment to HIV advocacy, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025. The award is the highest civilian honor granted in the United States.

A Courageous Disclosure

“They Call Me Magic” focuses on Johnson’s myriad athletic accomplishments, such as leading the L.A. Lakers to five NBA championships. It also revisits that historic press conference on November 7, 1991, during which he announced his HIV diagnosis and retirement from basketball.

“I just want to say that I’m going to miss playing,” he told the world. “And I will now become a spokesman for the HIV virus because I want people — young people — to realize that they can practice safe sex. And you know, sometimes you’re a little naive about it, and you think it could never happen to you.”

He added, “I think sometimes we think, well, only gay people can get it. … I am saying that it can happen to anybody, even me.”

Johnson has disclosed that he contracted HIV through unprotected heterosexual sex.

Passing the Advocacy Torch

Johnson has credited AIDS activist Elizabeth Glaser for inspiring him to disclose his diagnosis and to become an advocate for HIV awareness and education. Glaser gained notoriety for creating a foundation to drive pediatric HIV/AIDS research after contracting an HIV infection from a blood transfusion while giving birth to her daughter, Ariel. She unknowingly passed the disease to her daughter through breastfeeding and to her unborn son, Jake, in utero.

In 2013, Johnson said in an interview that Glaser helped him and his family understand what everyday life would be like with HIV. He also said that Glaser saved his life.

“The one thing she did say was that I was going to live for a long time. And the thing that she asked me to do was become the face of the disease,” he said. Furthermore, Johnson shared how she emphasized how important it was to be an HIV advocate.

A Brief Return

Johnson’s disclosure didn’t erase the stigma surrounding HIV. He continued to face discrimination himself, including from some of his peers, when he tried to return to playing basketball. He helped the 1992 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team — dubbed the “Dream Team” — win the gold. However, when he tried to return to the NBA, some players expressed concern about the risk of contracting HIV if Johnson sustained an open wound during play.

“I just felt all the controversy, people saying different things, not people outside of the NBA but people within the NBA,” Johnson said in 1992. “I just felt that it was gonna be like this all year. … And so, it wasn’t worth it because I played basketball for two reasons: the love of the game and to have fun. I have fun doing it. I was seeing that the fun part wasn’t gonna be there. And it wasn’t worth playing, then, if I wasn’t going to have fun and enjoy it.”

Taking on the President

Johnson’s advocacy efforts go far beyond his career as a basketball player. He launched the Magic Johnson Foundation soon after disclosing his diagnosis. Initially, the foundation focused on fighting HIV but later expanded to other issues.

He also served on the National Commission on AIDS in 1992 and went on to quit and criticize President George H.W. Bush for not taking steps to contain the disease. Johnson and the panel had put forth proposals regarding AIDS-related healthcare access and equity.

Johnson wrote the following in his resignation letter to Bush: “I cannot in good conscience continue to serve on a commission whose important work is so utterly ignored by your administration. AIDS… cannot be fought with lip service and photo opportunities.”

Over the years, Johnson has continued to speak out about his personal experiences living with HIV. One prominent example was the 1999 United Nations World AIDS Day Conference, where he was a speaker.

“I had to really learn a lot about the disease, HIV as well as AIDS,” he said in an interview in 2021 with “CBS Mornings,” reflecting on his original diagnosis. “I had to make sure that I was open-minded enough to ask a lot of questions, and go get a lot of information from different people.”

‘A Blessing and a Curse’

HIV treatment has significantly advanced since Johnson’s announcement. Modern antiretroviral therapies (ART) are the gold standard for treatment and are highly effective in suppressing the virus. These medications, when used properly and consistently, can allow those with HIV to live long, healthy lives. Additionally, treatment today is widely available and generally well tolerated.

Since his diagnosis, Johnson has shown the public that HIV treatments can be effective. However, he also notes that people can still die from advanced HIV.

In a 2016 interview with Ebony, he described himself as a “blessing and a curse of HIV.” He shared, “The blessing is that a lot of people went out and got tested after seeing me with it, so it raised the awareness level. Then the curse is because of the fact that I’m doing so well, now young people say, ‘I can be like Magic …’ People have died in 22 years since I’ve had this. People are still dying, and young people have to understand that.”

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person With HIV?

The introduction of effective HIV treatment, like ART, has greatly increased the life expectancy of those living with HIV. The number of older adults living with HIV is increasing. Today, more than 50 percent of all people living with HIV in the United States are age 50 or older.

Individual responses may vary slightly depending on other factors, like underlying health conditions. However, health outcomes for people living with HIV are largely influenced by timely diagnosis, consistent treatment, and access to medical care. Living a long and healthy life with HIV is not impossible, as many thought at the time of Magic Johnson’s HIV announcement, but is realistic with proper care.

Johnson’s Legacy in the HIV Community

Johnson’s impact on the HIV community has been significant.

First, he helped to reduce stigma around the disease. By making the condition more visible and relatable, he spurred a shift in public attitude toward the condition and people living with it. However, people with HIV continue to face stigma today — an unfortunate reality members of myHIVteam discuss. “Disclosure is still hardest because of stigma,” one member shared.

Second, Johnson has been an inspiration for HIV advocacy through his actions. That includes his willingness to share his diagnosis openly with the world for decades, as well as publicly challenging the current U.S. president for his administration’s handling of the HIV epidemic.

Importantly, though, Johnson also showed us that a person doesn’t need to be a basketball superstar or a successful businessman to inspire others and drive change. It was, after all, HIV/AIDS advocate Glaser who inspired Johnson to become an advocate himself before the world even knew he had HIV.

Members of myHIVteam have also noted that anyone can be an HIV advocate, and every little bit helps. “Certainly, when one is already notable, the messaging is louder overall — but each person who is able to advocate, either publicly or privately, is brave, courageous, and notable,” one member shared.

Finally, Johnson has empowered people living with HIV by showing the world what it means to live well with HIV. “He gave people with HIV a public voice and a public face of ‘you can do this’ — as well as ‘be damn careful,’” commented one myHIVteam member.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHIVteam, the social network for people with HIV and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with HIV.

What do you think about Magic Johnson’s legacy? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.