Celebrities and Famous People Living with HIV

For as long as we’ve known about HIV/AIDS, people have had to handle the reality of coming out as living with HIV. Disclosing your HIV status to family and friends is often difficult—and when you’re in the public eye, coming out as living with HIV adds a major decision about whether you want the whole world to know.

Many celebrities have chosen to share that part of themselves with the public. Often, that choice helps the rest of us: By coming out, they can humanize the virus for many people who don’t otherwise know anybody who’s openly living with HIV. They can help increase awareness and fight stigma.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most famous people living with HIV, both today and in years past.

25 Celebrities and Famous People Living with HIV

1. Alvin Ailey
2. Tommy Morrison
3. Pedro Zamora
4. Greg Louganis
5. Robert Reed
6. André De Shields
7. Danny Pintauro
8. Anthony Perkins
9. Alexis Arquette
10. Fela Kuti
11. Liberace
12. Arthur Ashe
13. Isaac Asimov
14. Trinity K. Bonet
15. Sylvester
16. Eazy-E
17. Keith Haring
18. Gia Carangi
19. Freddie Mercury
20. Mykki Blanco
21. Rock Hudson
22. Magic Johnson
23. Charlie Sheen
24. Jonathan Van Ness
25. Billy Porter