Prominent HIV/AIDS Activist, Hydeia Broadbent Dies At 39

Hydeia Broadbent began raising awareness about HIV/AIDS at age 6.

Hydeia Broadbent, an HIV/AIDS activist who was known for being a voice in raising awareness about the disease, has died. She was 39 years old.

The news of her death, Loren Broadbent, was announced by her father via Facebook.

He wrote: 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 about HIV/AIDS.

Hydeia Loren Broadbent was born on June 14, 1984, at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.

She was abandoned at birth and adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent, according to the biography on her website.

Although she had been born with H.I.V., it was not diagnosed until she was 3 years old.

At 6 years old, Broadbent began sharing her story about HIV publicly in a bid to raise awareness and educate others about the disease. By 12, she had appeared on a 1992 Nickelodeon special about HIV/AIDS with Magic Johnson and on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where she talked about the myriad of health conditions she faced as a child.

The condition also affected Broadbent’s learning, keeping her out of school, which made her unable to get a formal education.

In his tribute on the microblogging platform, X, Magic Johnson said he was devastated by Broadbent’s death.

“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”.