Janet Condra is a name many people know, but mostly because she was once married to Larry Bird. Larry Bird is one of the biggest stars in NBA history. He won many awards and became a basketball legend. But before all the fame, he was just a normal young guy. And during that early time in his life, Janet Condra was right there with him.
In this article, we’ll talk about who Janet Condra is, how she met Larry Bird, how they fell in love, and why their marriage ended so quickly. We will also talk about their daughter, Corrie Bird, and more. So, let’s get started!
Janet Condra Profile Summary
| Quick Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janet Condra |
| Known For | Larry Bird’s first wife |
| Birth Year | 1960s (exact year unknown) |
| Birth Place | Indiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Springs Valley High School |
| Marriage to Larry Bird | Married in 1975, divorced in 1976 |
| Child With Larry | Corrie Bird (born 1977) |
| Second Husband | Mike Deakins |
Who Is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra is an American woman who grew up in Indiana. She was born sometime in the 1960s, but the exact date is not known. She lived a normal and quiet life before she became known to the public. She came from a Christian family, and she was raised with simple values and a peaceful lifestyle. She never tried to be famous or be in the spotlight.
She went to Springs Valley High School, the same school Larry Bird attended. This school played a big role in her life because this is where her story with Larry began. People who knew her back then say she was kind, friendly, and calm. She liked a simple life and did not enjoy attention. Even later, when Larry became a world-famous basketball star, Janet stayed the same — quiet, private, and away from the media.
Janet Condra is still known by many people today, not because she chased fame, but because her early life became linked to one of the most famous players in basketball. Even after everything changed in their lives, she continued to live with dignity and peace. She chose privacy over public attention, and that choice made her story even more interesting.
How Janet and Larry First Met
Janet Condra and Larry Bird met when they were both students at Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana. They were very young at that time, and like many young teens, they slowly became close. They saw each other every day at school. They talked, shared small moments, and enjoyed each other’s company. Soon, their friendship turned into a sweet young love.
They went to school events together, like dances, sports games, and small town activities. People in their school and town saw them together so often that many already thought they would get married one day. This was before Larry Bird became famous. At that time, he was just a tall boy who loved basketball, and Janet was the girl who supported him in his early dreams.
Even when Larry went to Indiana State University to continue his education, they remained close. Janet believed in him, and she wanted him to succeed. Their bond stayed strong, and it looked like they had a bright future ahead of them. Their love was young, simple, and full of hope.
They Got Married at a Young Age
Janet Condra and Larry Bird decided to get married in a small wedding ceremony on November 8, 1975. They were both very young — around 18 or 19 years old. Their wedding was simple, with only close family members and friends. At that time, they felt their love would last forever. They believed they could build a happy life together.
But soon after the marriage, real-life challenges began. Larry Bird was becoming more serious about basketball, and his focus was fully on practice and games. He had big goals, and he worked very hard. This meant he was often away from home. Janet wanted a peaceful and stable home life, but Larry’s busy schedule made things difficult for them.
They were young, and both were trying to figure out their lives. It became harder for them to balance love, career, and personal dreams. Their early hopes slowly started to fade as life became more stressful. They were still the same people, but their worlds were changing very fast.
They Separated Just After a Year
Their marriage began to face problems very quickly. Larry’s basketball career demanded more and more of his time. He was traveling, training, and trying to build his future. Janet, on the other hand, wanted her husband to be more present and supportive at home. This difference brought distance between them.
They tried to fix their problems. They tried to talk and understand each other. But the pressure was too much, and things did not get better. After only a short time together, they separated in early 1976. A few months later, on October 31, 1976, their divorce became official. Their marriage had lasted less than a year.
Later, Larry Bird even said that getting married so young was one of the biggest mistakes of his life. That comment was repeated many times in the media. But for Janet, the story was much deeper. She had loved him since high school, and the end of their marriage was a heavy and emotional moment for her. Their young love had turned into a painful memory.
Meet Their Daughter: Corrie Bird
Even though Janet Condra and NBA Legend Larry Bird were no longer together, their story did not end there. A few months after the divorce, Janet found out she was pregnant. On August 14, 1977, she gave birth to a baby girl named Corrie Bird in Brazil, Indiana. Corrie became the most important part of Janet’s life.
Things were not easy at first. Larry Bird did not accept Corrie as his daughter in the beginning. This made life even harder for Janet. She had to take care of her newborn child all alone. Later, a paternity test confirmed that Larry was Corrie’s father. But even after that, he did not take part in raising her.
Janet raised Corrie with love, strength, and patience. She worked two jobs at times just to give her daughter a good life. Corrie grew up with her mother’s support, but she always wished for a closer bond with her father. Her childhood was full of questions, dreams, and moments where she hoped Larry would someday reach out.
Janet Condra’s Life After Divorce
After her marriage ended, Janet Condra had to face life on her own. She was a young mother with a newborn daughter and no support from her ex-husband. She worked hard every single day. Sometimes she worked two jobs at once just to take care of her home and give her daughter what she needed.
Janet stayed completely away from the public. She did not go to interviews, did not appear in the media, and did not use social media. She chose a private and peaceful life. She focused on her daughter, on work, and on building a stable home. Over time, she created a quiet and steady life in Indiana.
Later, Janet got married again to a man named Mike Deakins. With him, she had another daughter named Mandy, who grew up to become a professional singer. Mandy even performed at Corrie’s wedding in 2008. This new chapter brought some peace and joy to Janet’s life. She found comfort in family and stayed far away from fame.
Janet’s Net Worth and Career
Janet Condra never lived a fancy or celebrity lifestyle. She worked normal jobs and lived in a normal neighborhood. During her early years as a single mother, she worked two jobs. One of her known jobs was working as a mail carrier in Indiana. She earned an honest living and supported her family with pride.
Her exact net worth is not known because she never shared her income or personal details with the public. However, some reports estimate that her net worth may be around $500,000 to $1 million, based on her years of work and her past connection to Larry Bird. She never used Larry’s fame for money or attention. She built her own life with quiet strength.
Who Is Larry Bird Married to Now?
Larry Bird moved on many years after his divorce from Janet Condra. In 1989, he married Dinah Mattingly, and they adopted two children together, named Connor and Mariah. Dinah also played a big role in helping Corrie reconnect with her father. She invited Corrie to a Pacers game, and that moment helped rebuild the father-daughter bond.
Larry and Dinah have lived a private and calm life together. Larry continued his basketball career as a coach and later as a team executive. Even though he became very successful, his relationship with Corrie also slowly improved with time. Today, they share a much better connection.
Final Thoughts
Janet Condra’s story is simple but strong. She married Larry Bird at a young age, and even though the marriage ended fast, she handled everything with calm and dignity. She raised her daughter Corrie with love and worked hard to give her a good life.
After the divorce, Janet lived a quiet life away from attention. She later married again and built a peaceful home for her family. She never chased fame, even though many people knew her name because of Larry Bird.
Today, Janet Condra lives a private and calm life. Her story shows that strength can be quiet, simple, and gentle. She faced hard moments but stayed strong, focused on her family, and created a life filled with peace.
(FAQs)
Was Janet Condra Larry Bird’s first wife?
Yes. Janet Condra was Larry Bird’s first wife. They married in 1975 and divorced in 1976.
How long were Janet and Larry married?
Their marriage lasted less than one year. They separated in early 1976 and divorced later that year.
Do Janet and Larry Bird have a child?
Yes. They have a daughter named Corrie Bird, born in August 1977.
What is Janet Condra’s age?
Her exact birth year is not known, but she was born in the 1960s. She is likely in her early to mid-60s.
Did Janet Condra get married again?
Yes. She later married a man named Mike Deakins. They have a daughter named Mandy.
