Janet Condra: Life Beyond Larry Bird
Janet Condra is most famously recognized as the former spouse of NBA legend Larry Bird. While their marriage marked the culmination of a long relationship, it was short-lived. Yet, beyond her connection with Bird, there is much more to Janet Condra’s story. She faced challenges raising her daughter and eventually remarried, leading a largely private life.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Janet Condra’s life, based on publicly available information, interviews, and credible sources.
Janet Condra’s Early Life
Janet Condra was born in Indiana, likely in the mid-1950s, though her exact birth date is not publicly known. Little is known about her family or upbringing. What is confirmed, however, is that she attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana—the same school as Larry Bird. There is no available information on whether she pursued higher education after high school.
Janet Condra and Larry Bird: A Fleeting Affair
How Did Their Relationship Start?
Janet Condra and Larry Bird met as high school classmates and quickly developed a close relationship. By November 1975, they married in a modest ceremony in their hometown. However, the union faced several challenges early on, leading to a separation less than a year later. Their marriage came to a legal end in October 1976.
Despite the split, they had a daughter, Corrie Bird, born in August 1977. The relationship between Janet and Larry deteriorated after the divorce, creating a difficult environment for their daughter.
The Challenges Faced by Janet Condra’s Daughter
Corrie Bird’s Difficult Childhood
Janet Condra raised Corrie Bird largely on her own, while Larry Bird pursued his basketball career. The strained relationship between Janet and Larry resulted in Larry distancing himself from his daughter, which affected Corrie deeply. In a rare interview with Oprah Winfrey, Corrie discussed the challenges of growing up without a strong connection to her father. Despite her efforts to engage him—such as playing basketball in high school in hopes of drawing his attention—Larry remained distant for much of her childhood.
Janet Condra supported Corrie through these difficult years, though she has kept a low profile, rarely speaking about their family’s personal challenges publicly.
In later years, Larry Bird expressed regret over his strained relationship with Corrie. He made financial contributions and sought to rebuild their relationship, though this has reportedly been a slow process.
Corrie Bird’s Marriage
Corrie’s adult life has been more fulfilling than her challenging childhood. In May 2008, she married Trent Batson in a ceremony held at the White Chapel in Carmel, Indiana. The couple first met in Indiana during the mid-2000s. Corrie has since embraced her role as a wife and mother, maintaining a relatively private life.
Janet Condra’s Second Marriage
Reports suggest that Janet Condra eventually remarried Mike Deakins, though no official records or interviews provide detailed information about their relationship. Together, they had another daughter, Mandy Deakins, who has pursued a career in music. Mandy reportedly performed at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center and sang at Corrie Bird’s wedding in 2008.
Larry Bird’s Life After Janet Condra
Thirteen years after divorcing Janet, Larry Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Together, they adopted two children, Connor and Mariah Bird. Larry’s personal life remained mostly out of the public eye after his second marriage, focusing on his basketball career and family life with Dinah.
Janet Condra’s Career
Janet Condra worked various jobs throughout her life to support her family, though no publicly available information details her specific career path. Given her private nature and preference to avoid the spotlight, it is likely that she led a humble, grounded lifestyle while raising her children.
Janet Condra’s Net Worth
Exact figures regarding Janet Condra’s net worth are not publicly available. However, it is believed that she received a financial settlement following her divorce from Larry Bird, whose net worth is estimated at around $80 million as of 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While Janet Condra may not have amassed a large fortune independently, her association with Bird likely provided her with financial security.
Janet Condra and Social Media
Janet Condra prefers to maintain a private life and does not have public social media profiles. Her absence from the public sphere reflects her desire to keep her personal life away from the media’s scrutiny, focusing instead on her family and close-knit relationships.
Conclusion
Janet Condra’s life, while closely tied to her brief marriage to Larry Bird, extends far beyond that chapter. She played a crucial role in raising her daughter, Corrie, who faced challenges growing up without a close relationship with her father. Janet eventually remarried and continued to support her family, including her second daughter, Mandy. Although she chooses to live away from the public eye, Janet Condra’s life story reflects resilience and dedication to her family.
Her net worth remains speculative, but her connection to Larry Bird, who has an $80 million fortune, likely afforded her financial stability. Despite the fame surrounding her ex-husband, Janet Condra has always valued her privacy, leaving much of her life a mystery to the public.
