Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - December 3, 2004
Elinor J. Brecher, ebrecher@herald.com
That was 1991. Since then, the former Los Angeles Laker has expanded his philanthropic mission and built a sprawling business empire.
On Thursday night, he flashed his legendary grin for photographers at a benefit fashion show for The Magic Johnson Foundation on Parrot Jungle Island, where animal handlers introduced rhinestone-adorned guests to a virtual Noah's Ark of exotic animals. "This is a great place where anybody in their right mind would want to live," Johnson said of Miami. "There's an energy here and I can relax in the sunshine."
Then he posed with Peanut and Pumpkin, twin orangutans celebrating their first birthday, and talked briefly about how more wealthy pro athletes should do what he does: "Go back to the community that raised you and give back. Somebody helped them; they need to let kids see they can make their dreams come true. The key is education."
His foundation now supports HIV/AIDS education and treatment, health clinics and computer centers for inner-city kids.
Expected to make an appearance later in the evening: WNBA star Lisa Leslie, Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor and Shaunie (Mrs. Shaquille) O'Neal, modeling clothes by Jennifer Lopez and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
Johnson, 45, played for the Lakers from 1979-1991 with a brief comeback in 1996, the year that O'Neal -- now in his first season with The Miami Heat -- joined the L.A. team.
"I'm still heartbroken over him not being in a Laker uniform," Johnson joked Wednesday night after arriving in Miami for a few busy days.
Today, he plans to open three new Burger King restaurants in Miami. He owns 30.
"I grew up on the Whopper," he said. "Now I enjoy the salads."
Johnson planned to check on his other South Florida projects, including the 46-acre Miami Free Zone in Doral, the Downtown Dadeland condo development -- where he plans to keep an apartment -- a couple of Starbucks stores, and a technology center.
But Thursday night was all about education. The foundation is sending 225 students through college, said Johnson, himself the father of three.
Johnson, arguably the country's most famous HIV patient since his 1991 diagnosis, said he feels "wonderful," thanks to the two-pill combination he takes twice a day, and faith: 'God has done His thing and the medicine is doing very good with me and the virus."
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