One of the most beloved basketball players, Magic Johnson, always had his personal life under the microscope, especially the lives of his children. He has built a reputation as a devoted family man.
Currently, he is wedded to Earlitha Cookie Kelly, whom he met during their college years in 1977.
At the age of 46, he received a diagnosis of HIV, a moment that left his wife terrified as she was expecting their first child. Thankfully, both she and the baby tested negative.
Later, they welcomed a son named EJ Johnson III and celebrated their 31st marriage anniversary. Magic reflected on Instagram about the enduring nature of their love.
They are proud parents of three kids: Andre, Ervin, and Elisa Johnson.
Let’s delve into the details about his kids.
Andre Johnson: Magic Johnson’s Eldest Son
In 1981, Magic’s then-partner Melissa Mitchell gave birth to a son named Andre Johnson. He shies away from the public eye, visiting his father occasionally. The duo has spent quality time together on business trips and vacations. Andre once held the position of Vice President at MJ Enterprises, but unfortunately, he lost it. He has a deep passion for Old School music and in April 2016, became the sole owner of Love + Light Ventures, LLC. Pictures capturing Andre and Magic’s time in Hawaii have gained popularity online. Andre is happily married to Lisa Meyers Johnson, and they have a son together.
Ervin Johnson: Magic Johnson’s Younger Son
While Magic was grappling with his HIV diagnosis, he and Cookie were expecting their first child. Fortunately, EJ was born a few months later, and he and his mother are doing well. In 2013, EJ came out and featured in the reality show, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, where viewers warmed up to him over its three seasons. After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2015, he underwent an extraordinary weight loss, shedding nearly a hundred pounds. Magic has been a vocal supporter of EJ and publicly affirms his unwavering support for his son’s journey as a gay individual.
“It’s all about loving them regardless of who they are, what they decide to do,” Magic Johnson told Ellen, emphasizing the importance of being there for your child, especially in the face of potential mistreatment from others.
Magic’s love and care for his children are unwavering, and he has openly shared his experience of raising a child who identifies as gay.
Elisa Johnson: Johnson’s Adopted Child
After the birth of EJ, the Johnsons began contemplating adding another child to their family. They decided to adopt Elisa in late 1994 when she was just three days old. Elisa, the youngest of the Johnsons, is now 28 years old and has relocated to the East Coast to embark on her professional journey. She has garnered attention after appearing on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and the spinoff, Rich Kids. She enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2016 and shares inspiring content with her 400k followers on Instagram. Her future plans include merging her interests in singing, shopping, and social networking into her professional endeavors.
Renee Perkins Claims to Be Johnson’s Fourth Child’s Mother
In January 2017, an Atlanta woman named Renee Perkins made claims that Magic Johnson was the biological father of her son Chauncey. She alleged that in 1982, she took the athlete in, only to be abandoned when he discovered she was pregnant. Perkins claims that Magic’s advisor pressured her to undergo an abortion and she was left to raise their son alone. Allegations of paternity tests and suppression of results have stirred curiosity and concern regarding the existence of a potential fourth Johnson sibling.
