The Life of Janet Condra: Marriage, Family, Career and Life as Larry Bird’s Ex-Wife
Janet Condra is best known as the first wife of basketball legend Larry Bird. While many people recognize her name because of her connection to one of the greatest NBA players in history, her own story is about strength, raising a family, and living life away from the spotlight. This article explores Janet Condra’s life, her marriage to Larry Bird, and what happened after their divorce.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Janet Condra |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | Mid-1960s |
| Birthplace | Indiana, United States |
| Famous For | Ex-wife of Larry Bird |
| High School | Springs Valley High School, French Lick, Indiana |
| Marriage to Larry Bird | November 8, 1975 |
| Divorce | October 31, 1976 |
| Children | Corrie Bird (with Larry Bird), Mandy Deakins (with Mike Deakins) |
| Second Husband | Mike Deakins |
| Estimated Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Current Status | Living privately |
Early Life and Meeting Larry Bird
Janet Condra was born in Indiana during the mid-1960s. She grew up in a small town and lived a simple life. Janet attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana, where she met a young basketball player named Larry Bird.
Larry and Janet were childhood sweethearts. They went to the same high school and became close friends during their teenage years. Their love story began in the hallways of their school, where Larry was already showing his amazing basketball skills. They stayed together through their school years and decided to build a future together.
A Short Marriage
On November 8, 1975, Janet Condra married Larry Bird. At that time, Larry was a young student at Indiana State University, working hard to become a professional basketball player. The couple was young and hopeful about their future together.
However, their marriage faced many challenges. Less than a year after their wedding, Janet and Larry separated in early 1976. They officially divorced on October 31, 1976. Their marriage lasted only about one year, which surprised many people who knew them as high school sweethearts.
The exact reasons for their divorce have never been fully shared with the public. They were both very young when they got married, and Larry’s basketball career was just starting to take off. These pressures may have made their relationship difficult.
Becoming a Mother
Even though Janet and Larry divorced in 1976, Janet gave birth to their daughter, Corrie Bird, on August 14, 1977. Becoming a single mother was not easy for Janet. She worked hard to provide for her daughter and give her a good life.
After the divorce, the relationship between Janet and Larry remained difficult. Larry was focused on his basketball career, and he became distant from both Janet and their daughter. This created a sad situation where Corrie grew up without a close relationship with her famous father.
Larry Bird later admitted that he found the situation hard to handle. He struggled with knowing how to be a good father while dealing with his difficult relationship with Janet.
Life as a Single Mother
Janet Condra showed great strength during these years. She worked two jobs to support her family and make sure Corrie had everything she needed. Janet kept her personal life very private and stayed away from the media attention that followed Larry Bird’s career.
As a mother, Janet did her best to protect Corrie from the pain of not having her father around. She raised Corrie with love and care, helping her become a strong and successful person.
Moving Forward: Second Marriage
After her divorce from Larry Bird, Janet found love again. She married a man named Mike Deakins. Together, they had a daughter named Mandy. Mandy grew up to become a musician and has performed at events, including her half-sister Corrie’s wedding.
Janet’s second marriage has been kept very private. She chose to live a quiet life away from public attention. Unlike her first marriage to a famous basketball star, Janet’s life with Mike Deakins has been peaceful and away from the spotlight.
Father and Daughter Reconnect
For many years, Corrie Bird wanted to have a relationship with her father. The situation was difficult for everyone involved. Larry Bird’s second wife, Dinah Mattingly, helped bring father and daughter together.
In 1998, during the last home game of the Indiana Pacers season, Dinah gave Corrie tickets to watch her father coach the team. This was a turning point. After the game, Larry and Corrie finally talked. Larry even walked Corrie to her car and hugged her.
This moment started to heal the broken relationship between father and daughter. Larry promised to be there for Corrie and provide her with support. Today, Corrie is married to Trent Batson and has two children, Violet and Sebastian Grey. She has built a good relationship with her father.
Janet’s Career and Net Worth
Information about Janet Condra’s professional career is limited. What is known is that she worked hard at two different jobs to support her family after her divorce. She focused on being a good mother and providing for her children.
Reports suggest that Janet has an estimated net worth of around $500,000. In comparison, her ex-husband Larry Bird has a net worth of about $75 million, which he earned through his successful basketball career as a player, coach, and executive.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Today, Janet Condra lives a very private life. She does not use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. She has chosen to stay away from public attention and media interviews.
People who know Janet describe her as a strong and brave woman. She raised her daughter alone during difficult times and always put her family first. While many people know her name because of Larry Bird, Janet has her own story of strength and determination.
Larry Bird’s Legacy
While Janet’s story is connected to Larry Bird, it’s worth noting why their marriage attracted so much attention. Larry Bird became one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. He won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, earned three MVP awards, and was named to 12 All-Star teams.
After retiring as a player, Larry became a successful coach and executive. He is the only person in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year awards.
Conclusion
Janet Condra’s life shows us that being connected to a famous person doesn’t define who you are. She faced challenges as a young divorced mother but never gave up. Janet worked hard to provide for her daughter, found love again, and built a peaceful life for herself.
Today, Janet lives quietly in Indiana, the same state where her story began. She raised two daughters who have grown into successful adults. While she will always be remembered as Larry Bird’s first wife, Janet Condra’s real story is about being a strong mother who put her family first and lived life on her own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long were Janet Condra and Larry Bird married?
Janet Condra and Larry Bird were married for less than one year. They got married on November 8, 1975, and divorced on October 31, 1976.
2. Does Janet Condra have children?
Yes, Janet has two daughters. Her first daughter is Corrie Bird, whom she had with Larry Bird in 1977. Her second daughter is Mandy Deakins, from her marriage to Mike Deakins.
3. What is Janet Condra doing now?
Janet Condra lives a very private life away from the media. She does not use social media and has chosen to keep her personal life out of the public eye.
4. Did Larry Bird have a relationship with his daughter Corrie?
For many years, Larry Bird and Corrie had a difficult relationship. However, they reconnected in 1998 and have worked to build a better father-daughter relationship since then.
5. What is Janet Condra’s net worth?
Janet Condra’s estimated net worth is around $500,000. She earned this through her work over the years, though specific details about her career are not publicly known.
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