Hydeia Broadbent, well known AIDS Activist has passed away at 39.
According to reports, her death was confirmed by her father, Loren Broadbent. Mr. Broadbent wrote in a post on Facebook, “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,” his post read. “Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around HIV/AIDS.”
Hydeia was adopted by the Broadbents after she was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Las Vegas as a baby. When she was three years old, Hydeia was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
At the age of six, she began her career as an HIV/AIDS activist and was able to share her story on multiple television programs. Her appearances included, “A Conversation with Magic Johnson,” that aired on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” Good Morning America,” and “20/20.”
In 1996, she spoke at the Republican National Convention where she stated, “I am the future, and I have AIDS.” Throughout her life, her family released a book called, “You Get Past The Tears,” she became a representative for the Magic Johnson Foundation as a way to spread awareness about the disease.
She was also a prominent international motivational speaker and used this as her life’s mission to educate others. “People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you are aware and informed,” Broadbent said. “I use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Hydeia Broadbent’s family and loved ones.