HIV was not yet recognized when Broadbent was born in Las Vegas in 1984. Loren and Patricia Broadbent first took her up as a foster child, and they eventually adopted her. The Broadbent family found out that Hydeia was HIV positive in 1987.
Hydeia was abandoned at a hospital in Las Vegas by her birth mother, thus nothing is known about her parents. A further kid was born at the same hospital to Hydeia’s biological mother three years later, and she too left him there. Both the mother and the child were tested for HIV because it was mandatory at the time, and the results were positive. The Broadbents were notified by the hospital, and shortly after, Hydeia got an HIV test. Her HIV test result was also positive.
How Much Was Hydeia Broadbent Worth?
At the time of her death, Hydeia Broadbent was estimated to have a net worth of approximately $600,000 (This figure, exclusively derived from online sources, does not reflect the actual quantity). It was widely speculated that her substantial wealth had been accumulated through her activism for HIV/AIDS, during which she raised awareness and encouraged victims to lead normal lives without fear of social stigma.
Life and Activism of Hydeia Broadbent
Speaking out about living with HIV/AIDS, Broadbent started her campaigning at the age of six. She first became interested in giving speeches on the topic through her late mother, Elizabeth Glaser, who founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Hydeia was receiving therapy at the National Institutes of Health when the two first got together. Hydeia’s mother agreed when Glaser asked if Hydeia may discuss her HIV/AIDS status in public.
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Broadbent continued to give speeches at a variety of occasions, such as talk programs, documentaries, AIDS benefit concerts, and college campuses. In 1996, she made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Since she was one of the most requested guests to be revisited, she made an appearance on Oprah’s Where Are They Now.
Broadbent continued to give speeches at a variety of occasions, such as talk programs, documentaries, AIDS benefit concerts, and college campuses. In 1996, she made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Since she was one of the most requested guests to be revisited, she made an appearance on Oprah’s Where Are They Now.
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Broadbent financed for most of her own medical care and used three antiretroviral medications daily. Hydeia stated that “HIV is not a death sentence, but it’s a life sentence…[y]ou’ll be taking pills forever, going to the doctor and fighting for insurance forever.” She’d thought that by telling her story, things might start to get better.
Death of Hydeia Broadbent
At the age of 39, Broadbent passed away in Las Vegas on February 20, 2024. Following her passing, Magic Johnson shared a video clip of their 1992 interview online as a memorial to Broadbent. In it, the 7-year-old said, “I want people to know that we’re just normal people,” and The New York Times described her as “fighting through tears” with her face crumpling. Johnson responded, “We are normal people.”