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When celebrities are infected with AIDS, some of them choose to become advocates for safe sex or living responsibly with the disease. AIDS can be considered a pandemic, as up to 2007 there were estimated 33 million people living with the disease. Persons who are infected are usually subject to discrimination and stigma, even though there is a large body of information available to deter people from being prejudicial. At the risk of prejudice, some famous persons have acknowledged and publicly announced that they have AIDS. Some of the famous people with AIDS are as follows.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is one of the most famous celebrities that has AIDS. He announced this fact at a press conference on November 7, 1991, and decided to retire immediately. Initially, he denied knowing how he caught it, but later conceded that he had multiple sexual partners during his career.

John Holmes

John Holmes was a famous pornographic actor that contracted AIDS and died in 1988. He was world renowned for the size of his male organ. He became a drug addict and started doing gay porn for money. He had a very risky lifestyle and for this reason it was hard to pinpoint where he contracted the virus.

Easy-E

Easy-E was a famous hip hop musician that had AIDS. He was instrumental in the formation of a gangster rap group called N.W.A. In March 1995, he checked into a hospital for an unrelated illness and then discovered he had AIDS. He died ten days after checking into the hospital. According to reports, he contracted the disease due to his wild sexual lifestyle.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was a famous Hollywood actor that had AIDS and passed away in October 1985. He was very popular and known for his good looks and flawless acting talent. Starring in almost 70 motion pictures, his career spanned more than four decades. His contraction of AIDS marked him as one the first major Hollywood stars to die from the illness.

Robin Crosby

Robin Crosby was an original member of the 1980s hair band Ratt. He announced in 2001 that he had AIDS, and it was suspected that he has been contracted from his rock and roll lifestyle that was filled with drugs and sex.

Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe was a famous tennis player that had AIDS. He was the first African American junior to receive a US Lawn Tennis Association national ranking. In 1979 he suffered a heart attack which was a surprise to his fans as he was physically fit. He underwent two heart surgeries and fell ill and discovered he contracted AIDS during the blood transfusions he received.

Over the years, the celebrities that have contracted AIDS have been from various walks of life. Music, sports and acting have had the most celebrities that have contracted the virus. Some have contracted it through promiscuous activities and drug use. Although rare, there have been cases where blood transfusions have been the cause of the disease. Celebrities can be easily led into a life of promiscuity due to their active and hectic lifestyles.