Hydeia Broadbent Husband, Children, Parents, Age, Net Worth, Height, Biography & More
Hydeia Broadbent was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to raising awareness and fighting the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. She was born with the virus in 1984 and was adopted by a loving family who supported her through many challenges.
She became a public speaker at the age of six and shared her story with millions of people around the world. She died on February 20, 2024, at the age of 39, due to organ failure. This article will tell you more about her life, work, and legacy.
Early Life and Diagnosis
Hydeia Broadbent was born on June 14, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her birth mother abandoned her at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada shortly after her delivery. She was taken in as a foster child by Loren and Patricia Broadbent, who later adopted her.
When Hydeia was three years old, the hospital informed the Broadbents that her birth mother had given birth to another child at the same facility and left him behind as well. Both the mother and the child tested positive for HIV. The hospital suggested that Hydeia should also be tested for the virus. The results confirmed that she was HIV positive too.
Hydeia’s adoptive parents decided to enroll her in a research trial to find a treatment that would work for her. She had to endure frequent blood infections, pneumonia, and fungal infections in her brain. She was not expected to live past the age of five. However, she defied all odds and survived. When she was five, she developed AIDS, the final stage of HIV infection.
Hydeia Broadbent Wiki/Bio
| Name | Hydeia Loren Broadbent |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | June 14, 1984 |
| Birth Place | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Death Date | February 20, 2024 |
| Death Cause | Organ failure |
| Occupation | HIV/AIDS activist, public speaker, author, social media influencer |
| Spouse | Tyler Small (rumored) |
| Parents | Loren Broadbent (adoptive father) Patricia Broadbent (adoptive mother) |
| Siblings | Patricia Broadbent Jr. (adoptive sister) Loren Broadbent Jr. (adoptive brother) Lorenzo Broadbent (adoptive brother) Isaiah Broadbent (biological brother) |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
| Book | You Get Past The Tears (2002) |
| Foundation | Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation |
| Awards | Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine (1998) |
| hydeiabrodbent | |
| Wikipedia | Hydeia_Broadbent |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Becoming an Activist
Hydeia began her activism at the age of six, by speaking about living with HIV/AIDS. She was inspired by Elizabeth Glaser, the late founder of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, who met Hydeia while she was undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health. Glaser asked Hydeia’s mother to let her speak publicly about her condition, and she agreed.
Hydeia went on to speak at many events, including AIDS benefit concerts, documentaries, college campus education events, and talk shows. She appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996, where she captivated the audience with her courage and charisma. She also appeared on a Nickelodeon special along with Magic Johnson, the former NBA star who also has HIV.
Hydeia’s most memorable speech was at the 1996 Republican National Convention, where she said, “I am the future, and I have AIDS.” She urged the politicians and the public to take action and support the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Hydeia continued her advocacy throughout her life, working with various organizations and celebrities to educate people about HIV/AIDS, promote testing and prevention, and combat discrimination and stigma against those living with the virus. She also established the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation and received a Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine. She appeared in Essence, and on The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America, and other media outlets.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Broadbent’s net worth was estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million as of 2023, according to various sources. She earned her income from her career as an HIV/AIDS activist, public speaker, author, and social media influencer.
She charged a fee for her appearances at podcasts, virtual conferences, and keynote speeches. She also generated revenue from her online platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where she had a large following.
She reportedly donated some of her earnings to her charity foundation and other AIDS-related causes. She also received royalties from her book, You Get Past The Tears, which she co-authored with her family in 2002.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 4″. In Meters: 1.62 m. In Centimetres: 162 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 55 kg. In Pounds: 121 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Black |
Controversies
Hydeia Broadbent faced some controversies and criticisms during her life as an HIV/AIDS activist. Some of them are:
- She was accused of lying about her HIV status by some skeptics who doubted the existence or severity of the virus. She was also harassed and threatened by some people who opposed her message and advocacy. She had to deal with hate mail, phone calls, and online comments that tried to discredit or intimidate her.
- She was criticized by some religious groups who claimed that she was promoting a sinful lifestyle or spreading false information about HIV/AIDS. They also condemned her for supporting the use of condoms and other preventive measures. She was also rejected by some churches and schools who refused to let her speak or attend their events.
- She was involved in a legal dispute with her former manager, Regina Brooks, who sued her for breach of contract and defamation in 2000. Brooks claimed that Hydeia owed her money and damaged her reputation by making false accusations against her. Hydeia denied the allegations and countersued Brooks for fraud and misrepresentation. The case was settled out of court in 2002.
Parents and Siblings
Hydeia Broadbent was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent, who were her foster parents since she was a baby. They raised her with love and care, along with their biological children, Patricia Jr., Loren Jr., and Lorenzo. They also adopted another child, Isaiah, who was Hydeia’s biological brother.
He was also born with HIV and abandoned by their birth mother at the same hospital where Hydeia was born. Hydeia had a close bond with her adoptive family and considered them as her real family. She often expressed her gratitude and appreciation for them in her interviews and speeches.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Hydeia was reportedly married to a man named Tyler Small, but some sources indicate that she was single and unmarried at some point. There is no public information available about her having any children.
Death Cause
Hydeia Broadbent passed away on February 20, 2024, at the age of 39, due to organ failure. She had been on dialysis and life support for a while, according to her family.
Her father, Loren Broadbent, announced her death on Facebook, saying, “Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around HIV/AIDS.”
Legacy and Impact
Hydeia was a pioneer and a hero in the HIV/AIDS movement. She was one of the first children to speak openly about living with the virus and to challenge the stereotypes and myths associated with it. She inspired and empowered millions of people around the world with her message of hope, resilience, and compassion. She also contributed to the advancement of research and treatment for HIV/AIDS, especially for children and minorities.
