Hydeia Broadbent, Lifelong HIV/AIDS Activist, Dies at 39
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Hydeia Broadbent has died at the age of 39 after spending her life advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness.
The well-known activist, who was born with HIV and diagnosed at the age of three, became a public advocate by the age of six.
Her adoptive father, Loren Broadbent, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Feb. 21). He did not disclose details surrounding her death.
“With great sadness, I must inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor, and daughter Hydeia, passed away today after living with AIDS since birth,” he wrote, sharing a photo of Hydeia.” Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around HIV/AIDS.”
According to NPR, Hydeia, one of the faces of children with AIDS in America, inherited the virus from her mother, an IV drug user who left her at the hospital. Doctors at the time did not expect the infant to survive past the age of five. Beating the odds, Hydeia began to publicly share her story, appearing on national television, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and a Nickelodeon special alongside Magic Johnson.
“That very moment was both sad and inspirational,” shared the former NBA player, decades after the feature. “It made me want to do more to bring awareness to the disease and educate people so that no one would have to feel the way she did that day.”
After learning of Hydeia’s passing, Johnson shared a social media post in her honor.
“I’m devastated to hear about the passing of an incredible young woman, activist, and hero Hydeia Broadbent,” wrote the 64-year-old.
“Hydeia changed the world with her bravery, speaking about how living with HIV affected her life since birth. She dedicated her life to activism and became a change agent in the HIV/AIDS fight. By speaking out at such a young age, she helped so many people, young and old, because she wasn’t afraid to share her story and allowed everyone to see that those living with HIV and AIDS were everyday people and should be treated with respect. Thanks to Hydeia, millions were educated, stigmas were broken, and attitudes about HIV/AIDs were changed. We will miss her powerful voice in this world. Cookie and I are praying for the Broadbent family and everyone that knew and loved Hydeia.”
I’m devastated to hear about the passing of an incredible young woman, activist and hero Hydeia Broadbent. In 1992, I did a Nickelodeon special called “A Conversation with Magic”, and 7-year-old Hydeia and I made an incredible impact. Hydeia changed the world with her bravery,… pic.twitter.com/cwiohZTwbF
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 21, 2024
Jurnee Smollett, who shared a deep bond with Hydeia, also shared a touching post. The two had been friends since their teenage years.
“What are you supposed to say when you lose a best friend you’ve had since you were 13? How to make sense of it. I feel so angry. This is not the kind of post I would ever want to make. But in my anger and grief I want to remember to be grateful for the time we had our Hydeia on this earth. After all, the doctors said she wouldn’t live past the age of 5…she made it to 39,” shared the actress.
“The world knew her as this force, a trailblazer, an HIV/AIDS activist. Her family knew her as a loving sister and daughter. I knew her as my friend. My family knew her as another sister.”
In celebration of her 34th birthday in 2018, Hydeia detailed the ups and downs in her journey, uploading a photoshoot to her official website.
“I am apart of a unique group of individuals. The first generation of children born HIV positive,” wrote Hydeia.
“These last few years have been extremely difficult; struggles with depression, which reached scary points. A depression so dark, I was not sure how I would see the beauty in life again. I was unsure of how I’d pull myself back up. I now have a new outlook, I’m able to now see the blessing’s, and lesson’s from my valley.'”
Hydeai’s father launched a GoFundMe campaign for financial assistance for memorial services after her unexpected death.
“Our hearts are broken. Hydeia spent her whole life since the age of five showing us all how to love, fight, and speak up for those affected with HIV and AIDS. And as much as I wish she was still here fighting the great fight, God called her home. Letting us all know. Job well done,” describes the fundraiser.
VIBE sends our condolences to the family, friends, and all impacted by the death of Hydeia Broadbent.
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