HIV/AIDS has been around for many years now. Initially, there were many myths concerning this condition and how it is transmitted, but not anymore as scientific research has gone into depths and revealed the various ways how the virus is passed from one person to another. HIV is a deadly virus that if left untreated causes the deadly condition AIDS which many people don’t want to be associated with.
The condition compromises the body’s immune system that fights against various illnesses and infections thus leaving the victim vulnerable. During its early days, the deadly virus took shorter periods to be fatal, but that has changed with the invention of ART treatment that prevents the progression of the virus.
Unlike the early 80s and 90s when people didn’t have the courage to come out and reveal they were infected with the virus, there are many people today who have risen above the stigma associated with the condition and revealed their status, including renowned celebrities and famous people. Most of them are still alive and healthy thanks to the ART treatment. Below is a list of a few of them;
Magic Johnson
He is a renowned basketball star and among the first celebrities to come out into the public to reveal his HIV status. He did it back in 1991 when HIV stigma was at its highest in a press conference when he also announced his retirement from the famous Lakers. He stated then that his plan was to live on for a long time and true to his words, over 25 years later, he seems to have made good of his plan as he serves a sports commentator besides starting the Magic Johnson Foundation which is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
Greg Louganis
He is remembered as an Olympic diving champion of his time back in the 80s. Today, he is known as one of the famous HIV awareness campaigners. Despite being diagnosed positive in 1988, he held his head up high and decided to use his passion for diving as the driving force to keep him going.
In an interview with ESPN in 2016, Louganis stated that his doctor encouraged him to continue training for the Olympics which to him was a positive thing to focus on. He reflects how depression kicked in but over time he managed to get over it and today lives a testimony to inspire athletes and people living with HIV.
Danny Pintauro
Perhaps you remember him for the role he played as Jonathan on “Who’s the Boss?” currently is a renowned and credited as an HIV activist. After keeping his status a secret for 12 years, he finally managed to gather the courage to share it with Oprah Winfrey in 2015. He stated that his fear to come out into the public to announce his stated was because of the possible stigma associated with the condition.
Charlie Sheen
He is a world known and celebrated actor. He publicly announced his HIV status in 2015, four years after he was infected. He stated that his decision was informed by his desire to raise awareness about HIV. However, Sheen seems not to have got rid of his known controversial life as he admits to having relationships with women while knowing he is positive. He is working his way to redemption as he looks forward to helping others as he works to better himself.
Monda Guerra
He is known as the first Mexican-American fashion designer to come from Denver, Colorado. Armando Thomas Guerra famously known as “Mondo” was the Project Runway winner during the first All-Stars Season, after coming second in season 8 of the show. He has been living with HIV since 2000 and looks on to live longer as he is disciplined to his medication.
There are over 1.2 million living with HIV, and a good number of them may be in the celebrity world. Our hearts go out to the many that have come out publicly to announce their status as a way of raising awareness and pointing out to the many young guys that HIV is real and anyone can be a victim. Their revelations are important as they also lower the stigma associated with HIV as well as the importance of taking HIV medication to manage the virus. It is definitely not the end of the world if you are diagnosed with HIV!
References:
https://listabuzz.com/13-popular-celebrities-with-hiv-who-are-still-alive/
Comments