Who are Magic Johnson’s 3 children? The billionaire NBA legend called EJ an LGBT icon, worked with Andre, and invested in the fashion brand of Elisa – who didn’t want to be just another nepo baby

Nov 30 , 2023

Billionaire ex-NBA star Magic Johnson with his wife Cookie and their children. Photo: @johnsonboywonder81/Instagram

Billionaire, businessman and renowned basketball star ... Magic Johnson is more than that, though. His courage in 1991 when he publicly confirmed he was HIV positive smashed stereotypes about the deadly virus.

But what was it like to grow up in the shadow of such an icon? While Johnson didn’t hand his three kids free passes, he accepts them for who they are and fiercely defends their choices.

Here’s how Magic and his wife Earlitha “Cookie” Johnson raised their family – and what they’re up to now.

1. EJ, 31

Earvin “EJ” Johnson III came out as gay in 2013 and was surprised by the media attention. Photo: @ejjohnson_/Instagram

On June 4, 1992, Magic and Cookie, both now 64, welcomed Earvin “EJ” Johnson III into the world. In 2013, he publicly came out as gay, saying at the time that he didn’t expect the public declaration would receive so much media attention, as his family and close friends had already known for about five years, reports People magazine. After his announcement, he starred in Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and had his own reality show, EJNYC.

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Despite his family knowing about his sexuality, EJ said they were worried about his decision to go public about it. He told People magazine that his mother didn’t want him to be “scrutinised”.

Speaking about his relationship with his father, EJ said Magic saw him “grow into myself”. As for the basketball icon, Magic said in an interview on The Ellen Show that he focused on not deciding what “your children should be or what you want them to become”, but “loving them no matter who they are”.

EJ with his dad Magic Johnson, who has stood by his son through the years. Photo: @ejjohnson_/Instagram

In 2016, on an episode of his reality show EJNYC, EJ said that when he saw Caitlyn Jenner coming out as trans, he ended up questioning his own gender identity. Per CBS, he said he realised he does not feel “incomplete” and does not need to transition.

Being the son of a famous sportsman may seem like a blessing, but on an episode of Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith, EJ said that certain men had only been with him because they wanted to meet Magic.

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But the fashion commentator and socialite often draws attention for his looks too. In 2019, he told E! News that he is comfortable in his own skin. Addressing questions about whether he would transition, he again affirmed that he is happy with who he is. In an interview in March this year, Magic said that EJ had become an icon in the LGBTQ+ community.

2. Andre, 42

Andre, Magic Johnson’s eldest child, once worked at his dad’s company. Photo: @johnsonboywonder81/Instagram

In 1981, Magic and his ex-girlfriend Melissa Mitchell had a baby boy together. According to Cinemaholic, the couple split shortly after having Andre. Mitchell raised Andre in Michigan, but he did spend time with Magic’s side of the family during summer holidays.

In an interview with Men’s Health, Andre commented on working at his father’s company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. Per People magazine, he got appointed as executive vice-president of business development at a digital sports league in 2022. Andre has been with his wife Lisa for 10 years and they have two children together.

3. Elisa, 28

Adopted by Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie when she was three years old, Elisa still has a relationship with her biological family. Photo: @elisajohnson/Instagram

She was just three days old when Magic and Cookie adopted her on December 23, 1994. Elisa has been outspoken about her adoption, explaining that she never felt “out of place” in the Johnson household. According to Adoptions with Love, she still has a relationship with her biological family. “Thinking about how I have the Johnson family and I also have my birth family, I just feel like I definitely will never be alone,” she stated.

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Elisa also grabbed her chance in the spotlight, joining her brother EJ on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills as a friend of the cast. In 2021, Elisa then launched her namesake sunglasses brand with investment from Magic. In an interview with CFDA, Elisa said she always experimented with fashion, but it is the business of fashion that most interests her.

Magic Johnson invested in his daughter Elisa’s fashion brand. Photo: @elisajohnson/Instagram

She said in the same interview that she had a lot of anxiety growing up as Magic Johnson’s daughter, insisting that she didn’t want to be another famous person’s child who “launched a line”. But she eventually put her head down and focused on her dreams, not only discovering her true self in the process, but also showing her family who she is.

Celebrity children

The businessman and former basketball star shares 3 kids with his wife Earlitha ‘Cookie’ Johnson and ex-girlfriend Melissa Mitchell, and spoke on The Ellen Show about his relationship with them
EJ starred on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills with Elisa, had his own reality show EJNYC, and once told Jada Pinkett Smith on Red Table Talk that men dated him for a chance to meet his famous dad