Magic Johnson is gushing about his “best friend” and his wife Cookie Johnson

In the game of love, Earvin “Magic” Johnson He knows he won a lot with his wife, Cookie Johnson.

“She is my best friend besides being my wife,” Magic, 66, shared exclusively with Us Weekly in Holy Road Foundation The 2025 DesignCare Gala is on Saturday, October 4th. “Cookie is a caregiver and she takes care of myself, our children, our grandchildren, and all of her friends. She is a woman of God, and she is a blessing.”

Magic and Cookie met as freshmen at Michigan State University in the late 1970s. The couple would later marry in September 1991.

“I’ve been with her for 47 years and married for 34 years,” Magic said. “We are business partners. Everything is rolled into one.”

In September, Magic and Cookie, 66, celebrated their wedding anniversary with an intimate brunch at the Bel Air Hotel with some of their closest friends, including Sugar Ray Leonard And the actress Vanessa Calloway.

At the time, both parties expressed their gratitude for their love story, which continues to grow year after year.

“I love that our love is authentically ours, and I enjoy every moment together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cookie wrote via Twitter. Instagram On September 14th. “This is our eternal love!!”

charm He added“, “A wonderful celebration. Great food, great show, and the outside patio was amazing! He made our 34th anniversary something unforgettable!”

Before supporting close friends Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney PeteAn annual charity event – which raises money to provide compassionate care for those with autism and Parkinson’s – Cookie reflects on the early days of her romance with Magic.

“For me, I think I fell in love with the fact that Irvin is a gentleman. He was raised right,” she said. we At NYA EAST in Los Angeles. “Even when we were in college, he opened doors for you. He treated me well. He spoiled me rotten. That’s the one thing I’ve always admired about him.”

She also respects her husband for being a “hard worker” and never believes in giving up.

“When someone knocks you down, they get up and look forward and figure it out from there,” Cookie gushed. “The rest of us are still out there screaming: ‘Why did they do that?’ Why me? And he says, ‘It’s done. We’re moving forward. Let’s figure it out.’

While Magic and Cookie were happy to talk about each other, they were also happy to praise Holly, 61, and Rodney, 59, for their charitable work with the HollyRod Foundation.

Founded in 1997, this non-profit organization continues to advocate and support the autism and Parkinson’s communities.

“We are fortunate to know them so well,” Magic said. we. “We love Holly and Rodney and what they stand for and what they have done for the community, and we continue to be blessed to know that they are our friends.”

“(Holly) is not only raising money, but she’s out there in the field. She’s figuring things out. She’s helping know where to put the money. If you see now what she’s done with her son (RJ) and how far he’s come? It shows you the heart they have and the hard work they’ve put in,” Cookie added.