NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has paid tribute to HIV/AIDS activist, Hydeia Broadbent, who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 39 on Monday.
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Broadbent was born with the virus in 1985, and her story took the nation by storm after appearing on Oprah in 1996 at the age of 11.
Four years before that, Magic Johnson, who announced his HIV diagnosis in 1991, interviewed the seven-year-old Broadbent on a Nickelodeon special and the two quickly became friends — a friendship that lasted for over 30 years.
On Wednesday, Johnson shared a heartfelt tribute to his friend on X.
“I’m devastated to hear about the passing of an incredible young woman, activist and hero Hydeia Broadbent. In 1992, I did a Nickelodeon special called “A Conversation with Magic”, and 7-year-old Hydeia and I made an incredible impact. Hydeia changed the world with her bravery, speaking about how living with HIV affected her life since birth. She dedicated her life to activism and became a change agent in the HIV/AIDS fight. By speaking out at such a young age, she helped so many people, young and old, because she wasn’t afraid to share her story and allowed everyone to see that those living with HIV and AIDS were everyday people and should be treated with respect. Thanks to Hydeia, millions were educated, stigmas were broken, and attitudes about HIV/AIDs were changed. We will miss her powerful voice in this world. Cookie and I are praying for the Broadbent family and everyone that knew and loved Hydeia.”
Broadbent’s HIV was first discovered at three years old and developed into AIDS at the age of five.
Loren Broadbent, Hydeia’s father who adopted her with his wife when Hydeia was ten months old, posted a message on Facebook announcing her death.
No official cause of death has been given, but according to a family member, Kimberly R. McCoy, Broadbent had recently struggled with her health as she was on dialysis and life support last year.
