How did Magic Johnson convey HIV news to wife and ex-lovers? Here are all the details

Magic Johnson's professional career has one of the biggest "what if" stories. While the 12-time All-Star had a very impressive career, it was unfortunately cut short due to HIV.

As many NBA fans are aware, the point guard revealed that he was HIV positive in 1991. This came just a few months after his NBA Finals appearance and he was forced to retire at the age of 32.

Living with the virus, which was considered a death sentence at the time, was tough enough. However, the basketball superstar also had to convey this horrible news to his wife and his ex-lovers.

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Magic Johnson had to tell his wife and his ex-lovers that he had HIV

In 1991, Johnson was one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 19.4 points, 12.5 assists, and seven rebounds. Shortly before the 1991-92 campaign started, the LA Lakers superstar married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly.

The two tied the knot in a small ceremony in Lansing, Michigan, on Sept.r 14, 1991. Unfortunately, less than two months after their marriage, the point guard failed a physical examination and found out that he had HIV.

Magic and Cookie Johnson have been married since 1991.

Shortly after finding this out, Johnson called his wife and told her he had something important to tell her in person.

Magic's wife, Cookie, revealed some interesting details about this period in her book, "Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith."

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She initially feared that he suffered a sports injury or that he would leave her. Unfortunately, her husband suffered something that was much worse than anything she thought about.

Johnson was diagnosed with HIV less than two months after getting married.

Once he disclosed his situation, Magic Johnson told his wife that she was free to leave if she wanted. However, Cookie stayed by his side and told him they would beat the disease together.

After this, the basketball superstar locked himself in a room and called all the women he had been intimate with.

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Johnson's HIV announcement and retirement

Cookie's life was very stressful in 1991. She was pregnant and feared that she was also positive and would die. On top of that, she feared for her child's life. Fortunately, her test results came back negative.

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Cookie Johnson was pregnant when her husband was diagnosed with HIV.

On Nov. 7, 1991, Johnson made a public announcement regarding his disease. The basketball star also announced that he would retire from basketball and focus on battling AIDS.

Magic Johnson returned to the NBA for 32 games in the 1995-96 season, but retired shortly after. Considering that his impressive career was cut short when he was only 32, one has to wonder how much more he could have achieved if it wasn't for HIV.

The 6-foot-9 guard retired with five NBA championships, three MVP awards, 12-All-Star selections, and numerous other accolades.