Janet Condra is best known as the first wife of Larry Bird, the famous basketball player and NBA legend. Although their marriage was short, her story is interesting because it shows the life of a woman who faced challenges quietly and with strength. In this article, you will learn about Janet’s early life, her relationship with Larry Bird, how she raised their daughter on her own, and the choices she made to live a private and peaceful life away from the spotlight. This article will share her story in a respectful and clear way, helping readers understand her life beyond just being connected to a sports star.
Quick Bio
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janet Condra |
| Birth Year | 1950s (Exact year not publicly known) |
| Birthplace | French Lick, Indiana, USA |
| Education | Springs Valley High School |
| First Marriage | Larry Bird (1975–1976) |
| Children | Corrie Bird (born 1977) |
| Career | Mail carrier (Indiana) |
| Second Marriage | Mike Deakins (private) |
| Current Residence | Likely Indiana, USA |
| Social Media Presence | None (prefers privacy) |
Early Life and Background
Janet Condra was born in the 1950s in French Lick, Indiana, a small and close-knit town where everyone knew each other. She grew up in a simple and friendly environment, surrounded by neighbors who cared like family. This small-town life helped shape her down-to-earth and caring nature. Janet attended Springs Valley High School, where she was well-liked and took part in school activities. During these years, she showed a friendly personality and enjoyed being involved in her community, which helped her build strong relationships with friends and neighbors.
Current Age And Physical Appearance
Janet Condra was born in the 1950s, which means she is likely in her early to mid-70s as of 2025. She has kept a low profile over the years, so detailed information about her current appearance is limited. However, during her younger years, she was known to have blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Janet’s physical appearance reflects her natural and simple lifestyle, and she has chosen to live quietly away from public attention.
Janet Condra Meeting Larry Bird: High School Sweethearts
Janet Condra and Larry Bird first met as teenagers at Springs Valley High School in their small town of French Lick, Indiana. They quickly became high school sweethearts, sharing a close bond in a community where everyone knew each other well. During this time, Larry was already passionate about basketball and spent many hours practicing to improve his skills. Janet was a steady and caring support for him, cheering him on and standing by his side as he worked hard to achieve his dreams. Their relationship was full of young love and hope, and they spent much of their time together before deciding to get married.
Who is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird is a famous American basketball player known for being one of the greatest in NBA history. He was born in 1956 in Indiana and grew up playing basketball in his small town. Larry spent his entire professional career with the Boston Celtics, where he won three NBA championships and earned three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. He was known for his excellent shooting, smart game play, and strong leadership on the court. After retiring as a player, Larry also worked as a coach and team executive, leaving a lasting impact on the sport of basketball.
Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s Marriage
Janet Condra and Larry Bird got married in 1975 after being high school sweethearts for several years. Their wedding was a small and simple event, reflecting their young age and close community. However, their marriage faced many challenges because Larry’s basketball career was growing quickly, demanding much of his time and attention. This made it hard for the couple to stay close and connected. After less than a year, they decided to separate and divorce in 1976. The divorce was difficult for Janet emotionally and practically, as she had to face life changes and the uncertainty of raising a child largely on her own.
Life After Divorce: Single Motherhood
After Janet and Larry Bird divorced, Janet discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to their daughter, Corrie Bird, in 1977. At first, Larry did not believe he was Corrie’s father, but a paternity test later confirmed his fatherhood. Janet faced the difficult role of being a single mother, raising Corrie mostly on her own while managing the challenges that came with it. Larry’s basketball career was taking off, and he was often busy with games and training, which meant he was not very involved in family life. Despite financial and emotional struggles, Janet showed great strength and determination to provide a loving and stable home for her daughter.
Janet Condra’s Career and Personal Independence
After her divorce, Janet Condra worked as a mail carrier in Indiana, a steady job that helped her support herself and raise her daughter Corrie. Balancing work and motherhood was not easy, but Janet managed to provide stability and independence through her career. This job allowed her to stay connected with her community and maintain a sense of purpose. While little is publicly known about her personal hobbies during this time, Janet’s focus remained on building a quiet and stable life for her family away from the spotlight.
Larry Bird’s Relationship with Corrie Bird
Larry Bird had limited involvement in raising his daughter, Corrie Bird, during her early years. While he did provide financial support, including setting up a trust fund and a bank account for her, he was mostly absent from her daily life because of his busy basketball career. Over time, Larry made some efforts to build a better relationship with Corrie, but the distance affected both Janet and Corrie deeply. Janet took on the full responsibility of caring for Corrie, working hard to give her a stable and loving home despite Larry’s limited presence.
Janet Condra’s Second Marriage and Family Life
Years after her divorce from Larry Bird, Janet Condra remarried a man named Mike Deakins. Unlike her first marriage, Janet chose to keep this part of her life very private and away from the public eye. Together, they built a quiet family life, and they had a daughter named Mandy. Throughout her second marriage, Janet remained focused on protecting her family’s privacy and avoided any media attention, showing her strong desire to live peacefully and away from the spotlight.
Larry Bird’s Life After Divorce From Janet Condra?
After his brief marriage to Janet Condra and the birth of their daughter, Corrie, Larry Bird’s personal life remained largely private. He later married Dinah Mattingly in 1989, and the couple adopted two children, Connor and Mariah. Bird has occasionally acknowledged his estranged relationship with Corrie, noting the challenges in reconnecting after years of separation. Despite his basketball fame, Bird has expressed discomfort discussing his private life, emphasizing that it is “nobody’s business” and “ain’t interesting.” As of 2025, Bird continues to serve as a consultant for the Indiana Pacers, maintaining a low public profile.
Janet Condra’s Current Life and Legacy
Janet Condra continues to lead a private life, likely residing in Indiana, where she has remained out of the public eye for decades. She does not maintain any social media presence and has not made public appearances, reflecting her preference for privacy and normalcy. Janet’s legacy is one of strength, resilience, and dedication to her family. Her life choices demonstrate that one can live a fulfilling and impactful life without seeking fame, focusing instead on personal values and close family bonds.
Networth And Financial Status
Janet Condra’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000. This modest figure primarily stems from her hard work and personal investments. While she was married to NBA legend Larry Bird, who has a net worth of around $75 million, Janet has maintained a low profile and focused on leading a private life. Her financial stability reflects her resilience and dedication to her family, rather than any significant wealth accumulated through public endeavors.
Conclusion
Janet Condra’s life story is one of quiet strength and resilience, showing how someone connected to fame can still choose a private and meaningful life. Despite her brief marriage to basketball star Larry Bird and the challenges of raising their daughter alone, Janet faced life with dignity and determination. Her journey highlights the difference between the public world of celebrities and the personal courage it takes to build a stable, loving family away from the spotlight. Readers can learn from Janet’s example that true strength often comes from everyday choices, love, and privacy rather than fame.
FAQs About Janet Condra
1. Who is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra is best known as the first wife of basketball legend Larry Bird. She was Larry’s high school sweetheart and married him in 1975. Although their marriage was brief, she played an important role in his early life and later raised their daughter on her own.
2. When did Janet Condra and Larry Bird get married and divorced?
Janet and Larry Bird married in November 1975 after dating through high school. Their marriage lasted less than a year, ending in divorce in 1976, largely due to Larry’s growing basketball career and their young age.
3. Does Janet Condra have children with Larry Bird?
Yes, Janet gave birth to their daughter, Corrie Bird, in August 1977, shortly after their divorce. Larry was initially distant but later accepted paternity. Janet raised Corrie mostly on her own while Larry focused on his basketball career.
4. What did Janet Condra do after divorcing Larry Bird?
After the divorce, Janet chose a private life, working as a mail carrier in Indiana to support herself and her daughter. She avoided media attention and later remarried, keeping her personal life out of the public eye.
5. Is Janet Condra still in contact with Larry Bird?
Their relationship remained distant for many years, especially during Corrie’s childhood. Over time, there have been reports of Larry trying to rebuild a connection with Corrie, but Janet has consistently kept her family life private.
6. Where does Janet Condra live now, and what is her lifestyle?
Janet is believed to live a quiet, private life in Indiana, away from the media and social media platforms. She values privacy and focuses on family, having chosen to remain out of the public spotlight for most of her life.
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