Biography
Earvin “Magic” Johnson (born August 14, 1959) is a former professional basketball player who spent his career playing for the NBA team LA Lakers. Widely considered the greatest point guard of all time, he was Face of the NBA Over many seasons, has received many awards and achieved many achievements.
Former American professional basketball player
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 Magic Johnson: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Full name: | Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. |
| Stage name: | Johnson Magic |
| Born: | August 14, 1959 (age 65) |
| Place of birth: | Lansing, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 2.06 minutes |
| Parents: | Earvin Johnson Sr., Christine Johnson |
| Siblings: | Quincy Johnson, Lois Johnson, Pearl Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, Larry Johnson, Yvonne Johnson, Michael Johnson, Kim Johnson, Mary Johnson |
| Couple: | Cookie Johnson (married 1991) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Kathleen Sullivan (1985-1987), Janet Jackson (1983), Heather Hunter |
| The children: | EJ Johnson, Andre Johnson, Elisa Johnson |
| Job: | Basketball player |
| Net worth: | $630 million |
Career
From a very young age, Magic Johnson showed great athletic talent. His father and grandmother were also very good basketball players in their time.
He first earned the nickname “Magic” at the age of fifteen while playing in a game for his high school in Michigan; he recorded a triple-double with 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists, an extraordinary achievement for such a young player.
After attending Michigan State, Johnson joined the LA Lakers in 1979, being the first player selected in that year’s draft. He achieved great success in his first season. Averaging 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game as a point guard, he was selected to the NBA All-Rookie team and was a starter in the season’s NBA All-Star Game.
His presence on the team also puts the Lakers in a good position to compete for the NBA championship this season, as well as in the playoffs this season.
Johnson went on to play 13 more seasons for the Lakers, during which time he won numerous awards and accolades.
Records and achievements
During his career, Magic Johnson was a ten-time NBA champion, five times as a player and five times as a team owner and CEO. He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player three times in the regular season and the same number of times in the Finals.
He appeared in the All-Star Game twelve times and was named MVP twice. He finished his career averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time.
He also owns an Olympic gold medal won at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Net worth
There is no doubt that basketball has made Magic Johnson a very rich man. According to some estimates, his net worth is currently around $630 million, making him one of the richest former athletes.
Personal life
Magic Johnson’s first child, a son named Andre Johnson, was born in 1981. Although he was largely raised by his mother Melissa Mitchell, he spent summers with his father and later became the marketing director for Magic Johnson Enterprises.
In 1991, Johnson married Cookie Johnson and the couple had a son, EJ Johnson, born in 1992 and now a television host and fashion commentator. The couple then adopted a daughter, Elisa Johnson, in 1995.
In 1991, Johnson suddenly announced that he had tested positive for HIV, and while rumors circulated that he might be gay, he later revealed that he had contracted the disease through heterosexual intercourse.
His announcement of his illness caused him to temporarily retire from the sport, although he still played in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, where he was named MVP.
He today lives in Beverley Hills and is said to own a vacation home in Dana Point, California.
Business benefits
After retirement, Magic Johnson became involved in many business ventures. The largest of these was Magic Johnson Enterprisesa conglomerate of companies worth about $700 million. It previously included a nationwide movie theater group that was sold to Loews Cineplex Entertainment. At one point, he also owned 125 Starbucks stores under the Urban Coffee Opportunities umbrella.
In 2015, he acquired a majority stake in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which manages $14.5 billion in financial products for clients.
More recently, he has become an investor in the booming eSports sector with part ownership of aXiomatic eSports, the company that wholly owns the hugely successful Team Liquid.
Charity and advocacy work
Magic Johnson was also heavily involved in charity work, especially in HIV and AIDS awareness. He campaigned for Medicaid to be provided to low-income people with AIDS.
From 1985 to 2005, he also hosted an annual event called A Midsummer Night’s Magic, which included a celebrity basketball game and a fundraising dinner with proceeds going to the United Fund to provide scholarships for black students attending college.
He is a supporter of the Democratic Party and supported both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns. He also ran unsuccessfully in the 2013 election for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel.
