Born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, Magic Johnson‘s journey follows him from a high school basketball prodigy to a global icon.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. Often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, Johnson spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Here we have Magic Johnson’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, achievements, personal details, and more.
About Magic Johnson
- Career Highlights: 3x NBA MVP, 3x NBA Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 9x All-NBA First Team, 5x NBA Champion with Los Angeles Lakers
- Notable Achievements: All-time NBA leader in average assists per game; Olympic gold medalist with ‘The Dream Team’; Inducted twice into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Born: August 14, 1959, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
- Retirement and Advocacy: Retired in 1991 due to HIV diagnosis; advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex
- Post-Retirement Career: Successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster, motivational speaker, and sports team owner
- Height and Position: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), played as Point guard / Shooting guard
- College and Draft Information: Played for Michigan State (1977-1979), 1st overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers
Basketball Career
Johnson’s basketball career began to take shape at Everett High School in Lansing, where he earned his nickname “Magic” after a game where he recorded a triple-double. He played for Michigan State University, leading the team to an NCAA Championship in 1979 and earning the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
His college success paved the way for his selection as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft.
During his time with the Lakers, Johnson revolutionized the point guard position with his exceptional height (6-foot-9), playmaking ability, and versatility. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and was named NBA Finals MVP three times.
Johnson was a 12-time All-Star and won three MVP awards (1987, 1989, 1990). His career was temporarily derailed in 1991 when he announced he had contracted HIV, leading to his early retirement. However, he briefly returned in the 1995-96 season before retiring for good.
Johnson’s impact on the game was immortalized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Business Profile
Beyond basketball, Johnson is a highly successful businessman. He founded Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has been involved in numerous ventures, including movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, and 24 Hour Fitness centers, primarily in underserved urban areas.
His investments have also extended to sports teams, owning stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles Football Club. In 2012, he became a part-owner of the Dodgers, and in 2023, he joined the ownership group of the Washington Commanders NFL team.
Magic Johnson Foundation
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. founded the Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991, focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, scholarship programs, and community empowerment centers.
The foundation has raised over $20 million for charity and awarded almost $4 million in scholarships. Johnson’s work in HIV/AIDS advocacy has been pivotal in changing public perceptions and increasing awareness about the disease.
Magic Johnson’s Net Worth Details
Magic Johnson’s net worth is estimated to be $1.2 billion as of 2025. Johnson’s business acumen has been recognized with his net worth, making him one of the few athletes to achieve billionaire status.
His investments in EquiTrust, a life insurance company, significantly contributed to his wealth, with the company being valued at $26 billion.
Magic Johnson’s career earnings from basketball laid the foundation for his financial success, but it is his savvy investing and entrepreneurial ventures that have truly catapulted him into the ranks of billionaire athletes, alongside Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods.
Career Earnings
During his illustrious NBA career, primarily with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson earned a total of approximately $39.3 million from his NBA contracts. This figure includes a notable 25-year, $25 million contract he signed, which at the time was groundbreaking in terms of its length and commitment.
In the 1994/95 season alone, Johnson’s salary was $14,660,000, which was a significant portion of his total NBA earnings. This salary was part of a comeback to the NBA.
| Year(s) | Event | Earnings/Salary |
| 1979 – Early 1990s | Signed a groundbreaking 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers | Part of $25 million |
| 1994/95 Season | Salary during comeback to the NBA | $14,660,000 |
| Total NBA Career | Approximate total earnings from NBA contracts | $39.3 million |
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. |
| Date of Birth | August 14, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Lansing, Michigan, USA |
| High School | Everett High School (Lansing, Michigan) |
| College | Michigan State University |
| NBA Draft | 1979, 1st overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers |
| NBA Teams | Los Angeles Lakers |
| NBA Championships | 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) |
| MVP Awards | 3 (1987, 1989, 1990) |
| All-Star Appearances | 12 |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 1 (1992 with the “Dream Team”) |
| Height | 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) |
| Playing Weight | 215 pounds (98 kg) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Parents | Earvin Johnson Sr. (Father), Christine Johnson (Mother) |
| Marital Status | Married to Earleatha “Cookie” Kelley (since September 1991) |
| Children | Earvin III (EJ), Andre (son from a previous relationship), Elisa (adopted) |
| Business Ventures | Magic Johnson Enterprises, former ownership stakes in LA Lakers, LA Dodgers |
| Philanthropy | Magic Johnson Foundation |
| Net Worth | $1.2 billion |
Wife
Johnson’s lovely wife is Cookie Johnson. Here’s a brief profile about her.
- Full Name: Earlitha “Cookie” Kelly Johnson
- Birth Date: January 20, 1959
- Birth Place: Huntsville, Alabama, USA
- Early Life: Cookie was born as Earleatha Kelly in Huntsville, Alabama, and is the middle child with an older sister and a younger brother. Her family moved to Michigan when she was 6 years old, and she considers Detroit her home, though she acknowledges Huntsville as where her roots are.
- Education: Cookie met Magic Johnson at Michigan State University in the late 1970s. She was previously a college basketball player and graduated from Michigan State University in 1981.
- Marriage to Magic Johnson: Cookie and Magic Johnson were married on September 14, 1991, at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. Their relationship began in college and, despite several breakups and reconciliations, culminated in a long-lasting marriage. They celebrated their 32nd anniversary in 2023.
- Children: Cookie and Magic Johnson have two children together, Earvin “EJ” Johnson III, born in 1992, and Elisa Johnson, adopted in 1994. Cookie is also the stepmother to Magic’s oldest child, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship.
Age
Born on August 14, 1959, he is 64 years old.
Height
He is 6 ft 9 inches tall.
NBA Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| Points Per Game (PPG) | 19.5 |
| Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | 7.2 |
| Assists Per Game (APG) | 11.2 |
| Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 52.0% |
| 3-Point Percentage (3P%) | 30.3% |
| Free Throw Percentage (FT%) | 84.8% |
| Steals Per Game (SPG) | 1.9 |
| Blocks Per Game (BPG) | 0.4 |
| Turnovers Per Game (TPG) | 3.9 |
| Games Played (GP) | 906 |
| Minutes Per Game (MPG) | 36.7 |
FAQs
1. What is Magic Johnson’s real name and which NBA team did she play for?
Magic Johnson’s real name is Earvin Johnson Jr., and she played her entire NBA career for the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming one of basketball’s all-time greats.
2. At which position did Johnson primarily play and what made her unique?
She primarily played point guard, but stood out for her versatility, size at 6’9″, court vision, and ability to play all five positions when needed, revolutionizing the point guard role.
3. What are Johnson’s major career achievements and records in the NBA?
Johnson won five NBA championships, three Finals MVP awards, three regular season MVPs, and led the league in assists four times, while earning 12 All-Star appearances.
4. How did Johnson’s playing style influence the Lakers’ style of play and the NBA?
Her unselfish passing and fast break prowess defined the “Showtime” Lakers era, making the team famous for up-tempo offense and spectacular ball movement that changed the league’s modern pace.
5. What was Johnson’s college basketball experience and how did it prepare her for the NBA?
She starred at Michigan State, where she led her team to the 1979 NCAA championship, defeating Larry Bird’s Indiana State—a rivalry that would later define NBA storylines.
6. How did Johnson’s career impact discussions of player health and HIV awareness?
She shocked the world by announcing her HIV diagnosis in 1991 but educated the public, fought stigma, and changed sports attitudes by returning for the 1992 All-Star Game and Olympics.
7. What role has Johnson played in basketball and sports since retiring?
Johnson has served as a Lakers executive, coach, broadcaster, and advisor, helping shape rosters and mentoring young stars, remaining a vital part of the NBA community.
8. What business and philanthropic work is Johnson known for outside basketball?
She has built a massive business empire in real estate, entertainment, and sports, and leads the Magic Johnson Foundation, supporting health, education, and social justice initiatives.
9. How is Johnson viewed by peers, coaches, and historians in basketball?
Peers and coaches describe Johnson as one of the best leaders and passers ever, with historians regularly listing her among the NBA’s top five and a pioneer for tall point guards.
10. What are Johnson’s ongoing goals and legacy as a sports icon?
She aims to inspire new entrepreneurs, continue community development, and remain a leader for HIV advocacy, while her legacy continues through championships, innovation, and off-court success.
