HIV positive celebrities: from Rock Hudson to Charlie Sheen, see the details here

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Just recently, Charlie Sheen has received media attention and people's support after revealing that he is fighting against HIV and it might trigger the end for his career. It is, indeed, intriguing and amazing for a popular celebrity to admit that he is going through HIV battle.

It is not the first time that there is a celebrity who admitted being diagnosed with HIV. There were also those who did not reveal their illness, but still, the public was still able to know the truth after their death. Know the history of celebrities who had AIDS or HIV.

Rock Hudson

According to NY Daily News, Rock Hudson was the first celebrity who revealed his disease. It was back on July 25, 1985, when he announced that he was suffering from AIDS. After more than two months of his revelation, the "Pillow Talk" actor died on Oct. 2, 1985.

After his revelation, more celebrities also bravely freed themselves from their secret. He became the start of change.

Freddie Mercury

The death, caused by complications from the illness, was still surprising despite his revelation. It was because he only announced what he was going through it a day before his death on Nov. 24, 1991, at the age of 45.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson

A few weeks before Freddie Mercury died, the NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson came out as an HIV patient. He announced his disease during a press conference he called specifically for the announcement of his retirement from NBA after finding out that he was infected with the virus.

Anthony Perkins

Unlike the others who bravely revealed their HIV secret, Anthony Perkins died in the year 1992 without telling he had AIDS. It was his widow who told about his struggle from the disease.

Robert Reed

Just like Anthony Perkins, he did not mention about having HIV before he died in 1992. It was only found out when his death certificate listed HIV as a contributing factor to his death.

Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe, a professional tennis player during his time, admitted having AIDS. He said he might had been infected by the virus from a blood transfusion. He died in the year 1993.

Pedro Zamora

He shared his struggles on an MTV reality show where he educated the viewers on how to live with HIV/AIDS. He died in November 1994.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen is the latest celebrity to admit that he has been confined with HIV for years now. He revealed his struggles during his interview with NBC's Today. He said that he decided to make this announcement for the purpose of ending extortion efforts of those people who have already known about his condition even before he came out.

Watch Sheen's announcement in the video below:

Other Celebrities

CNN reported other celebrities who admitted being HIV-positive before Charlie Sheen made his big revelation were Olympic diver Greg Louganis, rapper Eazy-E and former child star Danny Pintauro.