It a brave leader to develop a great nation, The follow brave celebrity break HIV stigma to give awares and hop to peaople live with HIV virus by revealing their positve status to buplic. HIV is a personal matter but these celebrities chose to use their fame to discuss their HIV status and to advocate for compassion and awareness around HIV, hoping to help others to do the same.
Radio DJ Criselda Kananda, was diagnosed HIV positive more than 13 years ago, when she was seven months pregnant. Today she is a mother of 3, motivational speaker, professional counsellor, former nurse, medical underwriter and serves on the board of the South African National AIDS Council.
Lesego Motsepe who for 10 years played Lettie Matabane in Isidingo, disclosed her status on World AIDS Day in 2011. She said “Our society had made this virus a monster and all it is, is a virus. I’m doing it for the voiceless people out there who just found out today, and know that I’ve got their back.” Sadly Motsepe stopped using life-saving ARVs in 2012. She died in 2014.
Former NBA Player Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced in 1991 that he was diagnosed with HIV. He created the Magic Johnson Foundation to help combat HIV and raise awareness about the virus. Johnson worked with the White House and the United Nations in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and continues to advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.
Former footballer, Thabang Sefatsa made headlines when he confessed to being HIV positive, and he revealed the reason why more players don’t speak out.
Rapper Eazy-E of N.W.A died of AIDS-related complications in 1995. Eazy-E died only a month after learning he had AIDS; he and his wife Tomica Woods married just 12 days before his death. His son Lil Eazy-E is also a rapper and advocates for HIV awareness.
Actress Amanda Blake, seen here with “Gunsmoke” co-stars Dennis Weaver, James Arness and Milburn Stone, was 60 when she died died on Aug. 16, 1989. Although she had throat cancer at the time at her death, it is widely believed that she had contracted the HIV virus from her ex-husband and had died of AIDS related complications.
Gospel artist Musa ‘Queen’ Njoko publicly disclosed her HIV-positive status in 1995. She was 22 when she was diagnosed, at a time when treatment was not available in South Africa. She faced a lot of stigma and hostility but also found support.
8. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen announced on Nov. 17, 2015, that he is HIV-positive. The actor revealed he was diagnosed about four years earlier. “It’s a hard three letters to absorb. It’s a turning point in one’s life,” Sheen said.
In a 2011 interview with DRUM magazine, Bala spoke openly about living with HIV. He said he had received the diagnosis in 2010 and had made a commitment to help others in the same situation.
“I am HIV-positive, and as a celebrity and someone who is openly gay, it is important to come out. I want to use my bubbly personality to help those struggling to come to terms with their status and instil a sense of hope.”
Rock Hudson was the first celebrity to go public as having the illness PHOTO/COURTESY
Rock Hudson was the first celebrity to go public as having the illness on July 25, 1985.
The actor, who died in October 2 that year aged 59, helped many other celebrities to come forward with their HIV status.
The Pillow Talk star was a closeted gay man when he contracted HIV. He was diagnosed on June 5, 1984 and months before he died revealed he was suffering from AIDS.
Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS shortly before Easter in 1987 PHOTO/COURTESY
According to Mercury’s partner Jim Hutton, the Queen frontman was diagnosed with AIDS shortly before Easter in 1987. He was later hounded by the media who noticed his ill health.
On November 23, 1991 he released a statement saying “I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me.
“However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease.”
A little more than 24 hours after issuing that statement, Mercury died at the age of 45 from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
In the 1980s Ashe contracted HIV through a blood transfusion PHOTO/COURTESY
Arthur Ashe was a renowned tennis player. He became the first black man to win in singles at Wimbledon and the US Open.
In the 1980s Ashe contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. He announced that he had AIDS in April 1992 and started working to help others with AIDS and HIV.
He died of AIDS-related pneumonia on February 6, 1993.
Though perhaps not a celebrity in terms of an entertainer or a musician, Chris Smith is a celebrity of his own right in his native Great Britain. Beginning his career as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, Smith was named as the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and later for the National Heritage, Health and finally Culture, Media and Sport.
With an impressive career of firsts, Smith made headlines across Europe in 1984 for more personal matters when he became one of the first Members of Parliament to come out as gay. Making headlines yet again in 1997 as Great Britain’s first openly gay Cabinet minister, Smith received even more backlash in 2005 when he told the media he had been HIV positive since 1987. Also the first MP in Great Britain to publicize his diagnosis, Smith now works as the Master of Pembroke College in Cambridge as well as the Chairman of Trustees at Cambridge Union Society.
1. Criselda Kananda
Radio DJ Criselda Kananda, was diagnosed HIV positive more than 13 years ago, when she was seven months pregnant. Today she is a mother of 3, motivational speaker, professional counsellor, former nurse, medical underwriter and serves on the board of the South African National AIDS Council.
2. Lesego Motsepe
Lesego Motsepe who for 10 years played Lettie Matabane in Isidingo, disclosed her status on World AIDS Day in 2011. She said “Our society had made this virus a monster and all it is, is a virus. I’m doing it for the voiceless people out there who just found out today, and know that I’ve got their back.” Sadly Motsepe stopped using life-saving ARVs in 2012. She died in 2014.
3. Magic Johnson
Former NBA Player Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced in 1991 that he was diagnosed with HIV. He created the Magic Johnson Foundation to help combat HIV and raise awareness about the virus. Johnson worked with the White House and the United Nations in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and continues to advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.
4. Thabang Sefatsa
Former footballer, Thabang Sefatsa made headlines when he confessed to being HIV positive, and he revealed the reason why more players don’t speak out.
5. Eazy E
Rapper Eazy-E of N.W.A died of AIDS-related complications in 1995. Eazy-E died only a month after learning he had AIDS; he and his wife Tomica Woods married just 12 days before his death. His son Lil Eazy-E is also a rapper and advocates for HIV awareness.
6. Amanda Blake
Actress Amanda Blake, seen here with “Gunsmoke” co-stars Dennis Weaver, James Arness and Milburn Stone, was 60 when she died died on Aug. 16, 1989. Although she had throat cancer at the time at her death, it is widely believed that she had contracted the HIV virus from her ex-husband and had died of AIDS related complications.
7. Musa ‘Queen’ Njoko
Gospel artist Musa ‘Queen’ Njoko publicly disclosed her HIV-positive status in 1995. She was 22 when she was diagnosed, at a time when treatment was not available in South Africa. She faced a lot of stigma and hostility but also found support.
8. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen announced on Nov. 17, 2015, that he is HIV-positive. The actor revealed he was diagnosed about four years earlier. “It’s a hard three letters to absorb. It’s a turning point in one’s life,” Sheen said.
9. Koyo Bala
In a 2011 interview with DRUM magazine, Bala spoke openly about living with HIV. He said he had received the diagnosis in 2010 and had made a commitment to help others in the same situation.
“I am HIV-positive, and as a celebrity and someone who is openly gay, it is important to come out. I want to use my bubbly personality to help those struggling to come to terms with their status and instil a sense of hope.”
10. Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson was the first celebrity to go public as having the illness PHOTO/COURTESY
Rock Hudson was the first celebrity to go public as having the illness on July 25, 1985.
The actor, who died in October 2 that year aged 59, helped many other celebrities to come forward with their HIV status.
The Pillow Talk star was a closeted gay man when he contracted HIV. He was diagnosed on June 5, 1984 and months before he died revealed he was suffering from AIDS.
11.Freddie Mercury
Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS shortly before Easter in 1987 PHOTO/COURTESY
According to Mercury’s partner Jim Hutton, the Queen frontman was diagnosed with AIDS shortly before Easter in 1987. He was later hounded by the media who noticed his ill health.
On November 23, 1991 he released a statement saying “I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me.
“However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease.”
A little more than 24 hours after issuing that statement, Mercury died at the age of 45 from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
12. Arthur Ashe
In the 1980s Ashe contracted HIV through a blood transfusion PHOTO/COURTESY
Arthur Ashe was a renowned tennis player. He became the first black man to win in singles at Wimbledon and the US Open.
In the 1980s Ashe contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. He announced that he had AIDS in April 1992 and started working to help others with AIDS and HIV.
He died of AIDS-related pneumonia on February 6, 1993.
13. Greg Louganis
Louganis tested positive for HIV in 1988 PHOTO/COURTESY
The Olympic gold medalist shocked many in his 1996 autobiography when he came out both as a homosexual and as a person living with HIV.
He tested positive for HIV in 1988. He has been an activist for raising awareness around the virus and married his partner Johnny Chaillot in October 2013.
The Olympic gold medalist shocked many in his 1996 autobiography when he came out both as a homosexual and as a person living with HIV.
He tested positive for HIV in 1988. He has been an activist for raising awareness around the virus and married his partner Johnny Chaillot in October 2013.
14. Liberace
The piano man died in 1987 determined to keep his battle with AIDS a secret PHOTO/COURTESY
The piano man died in 1987 determined to keep his battle with AIDS a secret.
His doctor said he suffered cardiac arrest due to heart failure.
However, the coroner later delivered the bombshell that the singer died of pneumonia-related complications resulting from AIDS.
The piano man died in 1987 determined to keep his battle with AIDS a secret.
His doctor said he suffered cardiac arrest due to heart failure.
However, the coroner later delivered the bombshell that the singer died of pneumonia-related complications resulting from AIDS.
15. Chris Smith
With an impressive career of firsts, Smith made headlines across Europe in 1984 for more personal matters when he became one of the first Members of Parliament to come out as gay. Making headlines yet again in 1997 as Great Britain’s first openly gay Cabinet minister, Smith received even more backlash in 2005 when he told the media he had been HIV positive since 1987. Also the first MP in Great Britain to publicize his diagnosis, Smith now works as the Master of Pembroke College in Cambridge as well as the Chairman of Trustees at Cambridge Union Society.
