
48. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson, a former professional basketball player, was given an HIV diagnosis in 1991 after undergoing a preseason physical for his team. He announced his diagnosis, and at the time, there was a lot of stigma and uncertainty around this disease. He was given a three-drug combination to help him through this, and now it’s been 30 years, and he’s still healthy. One of the doctors who worked with Johnson helped pioneer the treatment, which became widespread in use a few years later. Johnson is now as strong as ever and has used this disease to become an HIV activist to provide education.