HIV Activist Hydeia Broadbent Dead at 39
[ Back to News Page ] Dated: 22-Sep-2024Hydeia Loren Broadbent (June 14, 1984 – February 20, 2024) was an American HIV/AIDS activist who advocated through appearances in national media and as a spokesperson for related foundations.
Born with HIV, Broadbent began participating in trials for HIV treatment at the age of three. Living with HIV her entire life, she began making appearances to raise awareness as a child, notably at the 1996 Republican National Convention. She described the disease as "a life sentence...you'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor, and fighting for insurance forever."
Early Life and Education
Broadbent was born with undiagnosed HIV in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 14, 1984. She was initially taken in as a foster child by Loren and Patricia Broadbent, who later adopted her. In 1987, the Broadbents learned that Hydeia was HIV positive.
Not much is known about Hydeia's birth mother, who abandoned her at a Las Vegas hospital. Three years later, Hydeia's birth mother gave birth to another child at the same hospital and left him there as well. As HIV testing was required at the time, both mother and child were tested, and both tested positive for HIV. The hospital informed the Broadbents, who then had Hydeia tested, confirming her HIV positive status.
Her adoptive mother enrolled her in a research trial, hoping to find a treatment that would work for Hydeia. Growing up, Hydeia frequently suffered from blood infections, pneumonia, and fungal infections in her brain. It was predicted that she would not survive childhood and would die at the age of five. Despite these predictions, she survived, though she developed AIDS by the age of five.
She began attending school in seventh grade and was homeschooled through Odyssey High School in Las Vegas using a computer.
Life and Activism
Broadbent began her activism at age six by speaking about living with HIV/AIDS. She initially became involved with the support of Elizabeth Glaser, founder of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The two met while Hydeia was undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health. Glaser asked Hydeia's mother if she could speak publicly about her condition, and her mother agreed.
Broadbent went on to speak at many events, including AIDS benefit concerts, documentaries, college campus education events, and talk shows. In 1992, she appeared on a Nickelodeon special alongside Magic Johnson. Two years later, she established the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation and received a Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine. She was featured in Essence, on The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America, and at the 1996 Republican National Convention, where she famously stated, "I am the future, and I have AIDS."
In 1996, Broadbent appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and later on Oprah: Where Are They Now? as one of the most-requested guests to be revisited. In 2002, her family published a book titled You Get Past the Tears. They also appeared on an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in 2004.
In 2012, Broadbent became an honorary member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. In 2014, she was a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation and other AIDS activist organizations to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS. She was involved in screening drives with actress and friend Jurnee Smollett and traveled extensively both nationally and internationally to speak on the issue.
Broadbent took three antiretroviral pills a day, and most of her medical expenses were self-paid. According to Hydeia, "HIV is not a death sentence, but it's a life sentence...you'll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor, and fighting for insurance forever." She hoped that by sharing her story, things would begin to change.
Death and Legacy
Broadbent died in Las Vegas on February 20, 2024, at the age of 39. In tribute after her death, Magic Johnson posted a video clip online from a 1992 interview, where both he and Broadbent spoke. In the clip, a seven-year-old Broadbent said, "I want people to know that we're just normal people," her face crumpling as she fought through tears. Johnson responded, "We are normal people."
