Meet Magic Johnson’s supportive wife, Cookie Johnson: the ex-Lakers star’s college sweetheart stuck by through infidelity rumours and his HIV diagnosis, and enjoys yacht holidays in the Mediterranean
- Former LA Lakers point guard Magic Johnson met his wife Cookie Johnson at a party while in college; the couple married in 1991, 2 months before his shock HIV diagnosis and retirement from the Lakers
- Cookie is a fashion brand founder, bestselling author and philanthropist; she’s also a deeply religious woman who Magic credits with saving his life
Keeping the tradition of their annual Mediterranean holiday alive, the Johnsons enjoyed time in Spain, exploring Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca before sailing to France, where they had an 80s-themed party, and enjoyed dinner at Mamo Michelangelo in Antibes.
Here’s everything to know about the woman Magic Johnson has described as the reason he is alive today, per People.
What is Cookie Johnson’s background?
Per AL.com, Cookie Johnson was born Earleatha Kelly in Huntsville, Alabama. She was named for her father, Earl Kelly, and her mother nicknamed her “Kookie” after a teen idol character on the popular 77 Sunset Strip TV show. She has two siblings, Pat and Harold Earl. The name “Cookie” came about when she started using it herself before first grade - and it stuck.
Cookie attended Councill Training School in Huntsville until she was six years old, which is when the family moved to Detroit.
She met Magic Johnson at a college party
It was love at first sight for Magic, who met Cookie in the 70s while they were both students at Michigan State University. On The Jennifer Hudson Show, he described spotting his future wife at a party, describing her as wearing the “tightest jeans” that “caught a brother’s eye”. The pair were briefly introduced by a mutual friend before Cookie took to the dance floor. As the night came to a close, Magic waited for her by the door and asked for her number.