Hydeia Loren Broadbent (June 14, 1984 – February 20, 2024) was an American HIV/AIDS activist who advocated through appearances in national media and as a spokesperson for related foundations.
[1] Living with HIV her entire life, she began making appearances to raise awareness of it as a child, notably at the 1996 Republican National Convention.
"[1] Broadbent was born with undiagnosed HIV in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 14, 1984.
[5] Her adoptive mother signed her up for a research trial in hopes of finding a treatment that would work for Hydeia.
[7] Two years after the special, she established the Hydeia L. Broadbent Foundation and received a Black Achievement Award from Jet magazine.
She appeared in Essence, on The Maury Povich Show, Good Morning America, and at the 1996 Republican National Convention.
[12] In 2012, Broadbent became an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority[13][14] In 2014, Broadbent was a spokesperson on behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation and other AIDS activist organizations in order to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.
[4] Broadbent took three antiretroviral pills a day and the majority of her medical payments were self-paid.