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Home • Relationships

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years

More than 30 years of love! Take a look back at the journey of how they got to this point — in pictures.
Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
In the Beginning
By ESSENCE Lifestyle · Updated September 15, 2023

Together more than 30 years, Magic and Cookie Johnson are solid as a rock. From their inspirational summer vacations to their transparency, they have become a favorite couple for many. As they continue to get stronger year after year (and live their best yacht life annually), take a look back to the journey of how they got to this point — in pictures.

01
In the Beginning

Magic and Cookie met at a party in 1977 as college freshmen. “It was so funny because every girl on campus wanted to meet him,” Cookie recalls of their first encounter. “I just thought forget it. There’s no way he’s going to pick me over all these other women.” Boy was she wrong!

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
02
Baby Love
Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
03
By Your Side

Cookie and Magic stayed by each others side during the early days. “There was a lot of breaking up and getting back together, a lot of ups and downs. We’ve been through everything together,” Cookie has said.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
04
Family Values

Magic and Cookie pose together with daughter Elisa and son E.J. at an event in 1997.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
05
Keeping It Fresh

Cookie and Magic seem to always have a smile on their faces. Despite the challenges they faced early on, they hold onto their happiness together.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
06
Totally In-Sync

The couple is all smiles as they attend a movie premiere together in 1996. They are so in-sync that they almost dressed alike!

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
07
Special Honor

Magic and Cookie are beaming with joy during a ceremony honoring Magic with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their children Earvin Jr., Elisa and Andre and Magic’s parents Earvin Sr. and Christine came along for the special moment.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
08
Through Thick and Thin

When Magic announced to the world that he was HIV positive, many doubted why Cookie remained committed to their marriage. “I never even thought about leaving,” Cookie has said. “To stay by him was not a hard thing to do.”

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
09
Stronger than Ever

After learning about Magic’s illness, the couple was able to emerge from the situation with a stronger bond. “I don’t know of many women who would have stayed in this situation,” Magic has said reflecting on his resilient wife.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
10
The Couple that Prays Together

A strong faith is the foundation of Cookie and Magic’s union. “God and Cookie give me the strength to carry on,” Magic has said.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
11
Rising to New Heights

Contrary to popular belief, Cookie is taller than many think. Perhaps the 5’8" beauty looks short compared to her 6’9" husband!

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
12
Giving Back

Since leaving the NBA, Magic has started the Magic Johnson Foundation to help raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Cookie proudly supports her hubby at a foundation event in 2006.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
13
Substance and Style

Cookie and Magic are both savvy entrepreneurs. Cookie’s chic fashion sense led her to start CJ by Cookie Johnson, a premium denim line and Magic owns Magic Johnson Enterprises.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
14
Perfect Balance

Magic and Cookie attend a lot of red carpet events together. It takes hard work to balance their busy schedules, but these two make it work beautifully.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
15
Support System

Magic came out to support Cookie during an in-store event for CJ by Cookie Johnson. We love how supportive these two are of one another!

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
16
Birthday Surprise

In honor of Cookie’s 51st birthday, Magic surprised his loving wife with a blow-out birthay party. “He really got me this time,” she said. “I thought we were going to see Frankie Beverly!” Little did she know that Frankie Beverly and Maze, who were performing at the nearby Nokia Theater, would take the stage at her party by night’s end.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
17
A Love Like No Other

Cookie & Magic embrace for a slow dance at Cookie’s surprise birthday party. Awwwww!

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
18
Taking Time to Relax

Cookie and Magic take a romantic getaway to Portofino, Italy last year. The happy couple knows that a balance of work and play is essential.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
19
Out and About

Magic and Cookie step out for a romantic dinner for two in Los Angeles.

Black Love: Magic Johnson And Cookie Through The Years
TOPICS:  Cookie Johnson Magic Johnson
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