HIV/AIDS activist, Las Vegas native dies at 39

Hydeia Broadbent, a Las Vegas native and HIV/AIDS activist, died Tuesday at age 39.

The Clark County coroner’s office Thursday confirmed her death. Broadbent’s official cause and manner of death were not released.

Broadbent suffered from congenital HIV and at age 3 was diagnosed with AIDS, according to her website. She was abandoned at University Medical Center and adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.

Broadbent wrote on her website that her mission was to create a dialogue around HIV/AIDS in the community. She said she did that by using her life as a prevention tool for those who are HIV negative and to give hope and inspiration to people living with HIV/AIDS.

“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them,” Broadbent said. “Well this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you are aware and informed.”

On Tuesday night, Loren Broadbent posted on social media that his daughter had died.

“Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around HIV/AIDS,” Loren Broadbent wrote.

As a child, Broadbent appeared on television with Magic Johnson to talk about her experience with HIV/AIDS.

“I want people to know that we’re just normal people,” then-7-year-old Broadbent said on “A Conversation With Magic.”

Johnson on Wednesday posted a clip of the appearance on X and photos of him and Broadbent.

“By speaking out at such a young age, she helped so many people, young and old, because she wasn’t afraid to share her story and allowed everyone to see that those living with HIV and AIDS were everyday people and should be treated with respect,” Johnson wrote.

Broadbent appeared on several other television shows as a child including “Oprah,” “20/20” and “Good Morning America.”

Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com.