Larry Bird is one of the most famous basketball players in history. He won championships, set records, and became a legend in the NBA. But before all of that, he was just a young man from a small town who fell in love. His high school sweetheart, Janet Condra, was once a big part of his life. They were young, in love, and thought they would always be together. They got married in 1975. But things didn’t go as planned, and their marriage ended after just one year.
Even though their love story was short, their connection didn’t completely end. After their divorce, Janet found out she was pregnant with their daughter, Corrie Bird. She gave birth to Corrie in 1977, but Larry Bird was not very involved in her life. Therefore, Janet had to raise their daughter alone. While Larry focused on his basketball career, Janet worked hard to provide a good life for Corrie.
Many people wonder what happened to Janet after her marriage to Larry Bird. Did she ever remarry? How did she build her life after divorce? Where is she now? In this article, we will explore Janet’s journey before and after her time with Larry Bird. We will look at her life as a single mother, her career, and her choice to stay out of the spotlight. Let’s dive in!
Janet Condra’s Early Life
Janet Condra was born in the 1950s in French Lick, Indiana, the same small town where Larry Bird grew up. French Lick was a quiet place where everyone knew each other. Life there was simple, and people took care of one another. It was the kind of town where neighbors were like family, and kids played outside until the sun went down. This is where Janet spent her childhood.
Like most kids in small towns, Janet lived a simple and happy life. She attended Springs Valley High School, where she was active in school events. There, Janet was friendly, full of life, and well-liked by her classmates. During this time, she met a talented basketball player named Larry Bird. No one knew then that he would one day become a basketball legend.
Janet and Larry quickly became high school sweethearts. They spent a lot of time together, went to school events, and were known as a great duo in their town. They seemed to be a perfect match, and after high school, they wanted to take the next step in their relationship. They thought their love would last forever, but life had other plans for them. Let’s explore the full story.
How Janet and Larry Bird Fell in Love
Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s love story started when they were just teenagers. They were young, happy, and believed they would be together forever. They went to school dances, football games, and spent time with each other’s families. Their love felt strong and real, just like in the movies.
Larry was already focused on basketball. He spent many hours practicing, hoping to become a great player one day. But no matter how busy he was, Janet was always there for him. She supported him, cheered for him, and believed in his dreams. Everyone in French Lick knew them as the perfect partners. Even when Larry went to Indiana State University, they stayed together. At that time, Larry was not yet famous. He was just a young college basketball player.
Janet and Larry’s Brief Marriage
After spending a long time together, Janet and Larry got married in November 1975. They thought they would have a happy life together, but things didn’t go as planned. They were both young and still learning about life. Larry was very focused on basketball, spending most of his time training and working toward his dreams. This made it hard for them to stay close.
After less than a year, their marriage ended. In 1976, they got divorced. Many people believe that their young age and Larry’s basketball career played a big part in the breakup. Larry was busy building his future in basketball, while Janet may have wanted a more simple and stable life. They realized they were too different to make the marriage work.
Even though they were no longer together, their story wasn’t over. Let’s see what happens next!
The Birth of Their Daughter
A few months after the divorce, Janet Condra found out she was going to have a baby. In August 1977, she gave birth to a baby girl named Corrie Bird. This should have been a happy time for both parents, but things were not that simple. Larry Bird was not there for Corrie like most fathers are.
At first, Larry did not believe that Corrie was his daughter. He denied being her father, which made things hard for Janet. To prove the truth, a paternity test was done, and it showed that Larry really was the father. After that, he accepted it, but he still was not a big part of Corrie’s life. Janet had to raise their daughter alone.
Being a single mother is never easy, but Janet did everything she could to give Corrie a happy and normal life. While Janet was taking care of her, Larry was busy playing basketball and becoming a big NBA star. He did not have time for family. Even though Larry was not around, Janet made sure Corrie was loved and cared for.
Larry Bird Wasn’t in His Daughter’s Life
As Larry Bird became famous in the NBA, his connection with his daughter, Corrie, stayed distant. He did not spend time with her or help raise her. Instead, Janet took care of everything and raised Corrie on her own. Even without Larry, she gave Corrie a good life.
Larry did not visit Corrie, but he set up a bank account for her. She could not use the money until she turned 18. This showed that he cared in some way, but he was not there as a father.
Meanwhile, Janet was there for Corrie every single day. She played the role of both mother and father and made sure her daughter had love, care, and support.
Janet Condra’s Life After Divorce
Unlike many ex-wives of celebrities, Janet never aimed for fame or media attention. She didn’t write a book about her life with Larry Bird, and she never gave big interviews about their marriage.
Instead, she chose to live a simple, private life away from the spotlight. While Larry Bird was making history in basketball, Janet was focused on being a mother and building her own future.
Her decision to stay out of the public eye shows that not everyone connected to a celebrity wants attention. She wanted a quiet, normal life, and that’s exactly what she built.
Janet’s Career as a Mail Carrier
After her divorce, Janet worked as a mail carrier in Indiana. It wasn’t a luxury career, but it was stable and gave her purpose.
Delivering mail meant she stayed connected with her community, meeting people every day. She enjoyed the simple joy of her work and her ability to be independent and support her daughter.
Even though she wasn’t making millions like her ex-husband, Janet found happiness in her way.
Janet Condra Got Married Again
Years after her split from Larry Bird, Janet moved on and remarried. She married a man named Mike Deakins, but unlike her first marriage, she kept this relationship completely private.
There is little public information about her second marriage, which suggests she was focused on living a normal life away from media attention.
This was another sign that Janet Condra never wanted fame, just peace and stability.
Where is Janet Condra Now?
Today, Janet Condra continues to live a private life. She is believed to still be in Indiana, enjoying a life far away from the world of basketball.
She has no social media accounts, doesn’t attend public events, and hasn’t spoken about her past in years. Some reports say she might be interested in mentoring young women, but there’s no confirmation. Her story remains a quiet and private one, just as she wanted.
Final Thoughts
Janet Condra’s story is really amazing. She was once married to Larry Bird, but after their marriage ended, she decided to live a quiet life.
She could have stayed in the spotlight because of Larry’s fame, but she didn’t want that. Instead, she focused on raising her daughter and working a simple job.
Her story shows that not everyone wants to be famous. Some people, like Janet, prefer a quiet and normal life instead of being in the public eye. Do you think she made the right choice?
(FAQs)
Who was Larry Bird’s first wife?
Larry Bird’s first wife was Janet Condra. They were high school sweethearts and got married in 1975. However, their marriage was very short and ended in divorce in 1976.
How old is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra was born in the 1950s, but her exact birth year is not publicly known. As of 2025, she is likely in her early to mid-70s.
Did Larry Bird and Janet Condra have children?
Yes, Janet and Larry had one daughter, Corrie Bird, who was born in August 1977. After their divorce, Janet raised Corrie alone, as Larry was not very involved in her life.
Did Janet Condra ever remarry?
Yes, Janet Condra later married another man named Mike Deakins. Unlike her first marriage, this relationship remained private, and she stayed away from the public eye.
Is Larry Bird married now?
Yes, Larry Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. The couple adopted two children, Connor and Mariah, and have been together for over 35 years.
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