Hydeia Broadbent, a renowned activist who rose to fame as a child born with HIV/AIDS had passed away.
Hydeia Broadbent was a child living with HIV/AIDS, whose story had touched many and changed many victims of HIV/AIDS. Hydeia rose to prominence as a child living with the deadly health condition but survived until 39 years of age.
On Wednesday 21, February 2024, Loren Broadbent, who is her father shared the heartbreaking news of Hydeia’s demise through his Facebook account saying:
“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, despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around HIV/AIDS”
Hydeia was abandoned as an infant at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, where she was subsequently adopted.
Diagnosed as HIV-positive at the age of 3, with progression to AIDS, although it was suspected she contracted the illness at birth, doctors had initially predicted she wouldn’t live past the age of 5, which she exceeded beyond expectations up to 39 years before she passed on.
During her childhood, Broadbent appeared on a 1992 Nickelodeon special about HIV/AIDS alongside Earvin Magic Johnson, shortly after the basketball legend disclosed his HIV diagnosis. She also shared her story on various television programs, including Oprah, 20/20, and Good Morning America.
Following her passing, actress Jurnee Smollett, who had been best friends with Broadbent since the age of 13, shared a heartfelt message, expressing love for Hydeia’s resilience and dedication to combating stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS.
The Message read:
“My warrior woman, who literally fought her entire life to save the lives of others, Hydeia raised the consciousness and fought to destigmatize issues around HIV/AIDS,” Smollett wrote. “Hydeia made us all better. SHE LITERALLY BLAZED TRAILS WHERE THERE WERE NONE.”
Earvin Magic Johnson paid tribute to Broadbent on X, acknowledging her courageous advocacy and impactful contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The statement reads:
“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, 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.”
Throughout the years, Hydeia Broadbent dedicated herself to educating individuals living with HIV/AIDS about abstinence, safe sex practices, and raising awareness for prevention. Her mission was to inform and foster dialogue about HIV/AIDS in various settings.
