Janet Condra is known to many basketball fans because she was the first wife of Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics legend. Their marriage was short, but it is a small and important part of Bird’s life story. In this article, you will learn who Janet is, how she met Larry, what happened in their brief marriage, and what is known about her life after they went separate ways. I will use clear words and a friendly tone so the story is easy to follow.
Personal Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janet Condra |
| Known for | First wife of NBA great Larry Bird |
| Relationship to Bird | High-school sweetheart; they married young |
| Marriage date | 1975 (while Bird was in college) |
| Divorce | Less than one year later, in 1976 |
| Child | One daughter, Corrie Bird (born 1977) |
| Where they met | Springs Valley High School, French Lick, Indiana (classmates) |
| Public life today | Keeps a low profile; few public details available |
| Larry Bird’s later marriage | Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989; Corrie is his daughter from the first marriage |
| Notability of story | A human side of a sports icon’s early life, showing the challenges of young marriage |
| Primary sources for facts | Public biographies and major sports features |
Early Years and Meeting Larry Bird
Public records about Janet Condra’s private life are limited. What is clear is that she and Larry Bird knew each other from Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana. Many features say they were classmates and sweethearts in those years.
Bird’s small-town background is well known, and the pair’s connection comes from that close community. As Bird’s college path began and his basketball rise started to take shape, the relationship moved quickly into marriage.
A Young Marriage
In 1975, Larry Bird married Janet Condra. At the time, he was still a young student-athlete, and life was changing fast. The marriage did not last long. They separated and divorced in 1976, less than a year after the wedding. This short timeline is part of the public record of Bird’s personal life.
Looking back years later, Bird spoke openly about how getting married so young affected him. He said it was difficult and taught him hard lessons, which also shaped his focus on work and basketball. These reflections are part of the human story behind a very public career.
The Birth of Corrie Bird
After the divorce, there was an attempt to reconcile, and Janet gave birth to their daughter, Corrie, in 1977. This fact is clearly noted in reliable summaries of Bird’s life.
Through the years, the relationship between Bird and Corrie has been written about by sports outlets and feature writers. Some pieces say it was complicated at times, especially in the early years, and that Bird himself has talked about the difficulty. These articles highlight that family life can be complex, even for famous people.
Today, when major outlets write about Bird’s current family, they still mention Corrie as his daughter from his first marriage, which confirms the key details of Janet Condra’s place in his life story.
Life After the Divorce
There is not much verified public information about Janet Condra’s daily life after the late 1970s. She does not seem to seek media attention. Most credible sources simply repeat the basics: she and Bird married in 1975, divorced in 1976, and share one daughter, Corrie (born 1977).
Because firm details are limited, it is best to avoid guessing about her job, her current city, or her personal interests. Respect for privacy is important, especially for people who are known mainly because of their connection to a celebrity. What we can say is that her story shows how early relationships can be intense and complicated, especially when one partner steps into world-level fame at a young age.
Why Janet’s Story Still Matters
Even though the marriage was brief, Janet Condra’s story matters for a few reasons:
- It shows the human side of a sports legend. Bird’s early years were not only about points and trophies. He faced personal challenges and choices like anyone else.
- It reminds us that fame changes a life. Going from a small town to national attention can put stress on young relationships.
- It highlights privacy and respect. Many people connected to stars prefer to live quietly. Reporting should focus on public, confirmed facts and avoid rumors.
Larry Bird’s Later Family Life (Context)
For context, Larry Bird later married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Many profiles of Mattingly note that she is stepmother to Corrie, and that she and Bird adopted two children, Mariah and Connor. These details help readers understand the larger family picture while keeping the focus on verified information.
Media Coverage and Reliable Facts
When writing about private people, it is best to rely on reputable sources. The Larry Bird entry on public biographies is updated often and cites books and major media; it clearly lists the marriage to Janet, the short duration, and the birth of Corrie in 1977. Major lifestyle reporting about Bird’s current family also repeats these same facts. Sports features that discuss Bird’s reflections add context but should be read carefully and compared with primary summaries.
Final Thoughts
Janet Condra’s story is simple but meaningful. She was part of Larry Bird’s life at a time when both were very young and the future was uncertain. Their marriage was short, and their daughter Corrie was born soon after. Since then, Janet has remained private, and only basic facts are confirmed by trustworthy sources. When we write about people like Janet, it is important to be careful, kind, and accurate. This article focused on verified details so readers get a clear and respectful picture of her place in basketball history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Who is Janet Condra?
She is best known as Larry Bird’s first wife. They married in 1975 and divorced in 1976.
2) How did Janet Condra and Larry Bird meet?
Reports say they were high-school classmates at Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana.
3) Did Janet and Larry have children?
Yes. They have one daughter, Corrie, born in 1977.
4) How long were Janet and Larry married?
Less than one year. They married in 1975 and divorced in 1976.
5) Why did their marriage end so quickly?
Specific private reasons are not well-documented. Bird has said that marrying so young was difficult and taught him hard lessons.
6) What is known about Janet’s life today?
Very little is publicly confirmed. She appears to keep a low profile, and reliable sources focus only on the basic facts listed above.
7) What is Corrie Bird’s place in Larry Bird’s family?
Corrie is Bird’s biological daughter from his first marriage to Janet. Later, Bird married Dinah Mattingly, who is often described as Corrie’s stepmother.
8) Did Larry Bird talk about his early family life?
Yes. In interviews, he acknowledged that the situation with his first marriage and early fatherhood was hard.
9) Is there a full biography of Janet Condra?
No widely accepted, detailed public biography exists. Most credible references only confirm her marriage to Bird and their daughter’s birth year.
10) Why should we be cautious with other online stories about Janet?
Many blog posts repeat the same facts or add uncited details. It is better to rely on sources that clearly state where their information comes from.
Relatable Topics
Todd Van Sickle: Jennifer Nettles’ First Husband and Music Venue Owner
The Simple Story of Chuck Norris’s First Wife, Dianne Holechek
