This list of famous people with HIV is loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Human immunodeficiency virus, better known as HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS. The condition leads to the failure of the immune system allowing for other conditions like cancer and pneumonia to thrive. HIV is transferred through bodily fluids and infects vital T cells. Which celebrities have HIV?
Who is the most famous person with HIV? Freddy Mercury tops this list. The Queen front man denied that he had tested HIV positive for most of his life. He only confirmed that he had HIV, and that it had developed into AIDS, two days before his death in 1991. Other musicians who have suffered from HIV include jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron, rapper Eazy-E, and Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist Tom Fogerty. There are many other rappers and stars with HIV that you might not know about.
Basketball legend Magic Johnson shocked the world when he announced that he had tested positive for HIV. Johnson has been on multiple medications to treat the virus and so far the former Laker has been able to prevent AIDS from developing. Other athletes who have HIV include Olympian Greg Louganis, tennis star Arthur Ashe, and football player Jerry Smith.
56 Famous People with HIV,
Anthony Perkins
Psycho star Anthony Perkins was very secretive about the fact that he had HIV. He died from complications with AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992.
Arthur Ashe
Three-time Grand Slam winner Arthur Ashe contracted HIV from a blood transfusion. He died from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1993.
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen revealed his HIV+ status on the Today show on November 17, 2015. The Two and a Half Men star has been long-rumored to suffer from the disease, after much public speculation about his personal life. Sheen has admitted to using many illegal drugs over the years, as well as engaging in high-risk sex with various celebrity and non-celebrity women.
Source:People
Dack Rambo
"Dallas" actor Dack Rambo died due to complications with AIDS when he was 52.
Denholm Elliott
Trading Places actor Denholm Elliot was diagnosed with HIV in 1987. He died from AIDS-related tuberculosis in 1992.
Magic Johnson
NBA superstar Magic Johnson announced that he was infected with HIV in 1991. Johnson takes a variety of medications daily to prevent his HIV from becoming full blown AIDS.
Freddie Mercury
In 1991, Queen front man Freddie Mercury was the first major rock star to die from complications from AIDS. Only days before, he had released an international statement about his illness.
Michael Jeter
The Green Mile actor Michael Jeter died at age 50. He was diagnosed with HIV, but it is not thought that the disease was a factor in his death.
Robert Reed
The actor best known for playing Mike Brady on the "The Brady Bunch" was HIV positive. Reed died due to colon cancer in 1992, but doctors believe that HIV also played into his death.
Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson announced that he had AIDS in 1985. The actor died less than three months later.