Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janet Condra |
| Birth | Born in the 1950s (exact date not publicly known) |
| Birthplace | French Lick, Indiana, USA |
| High School | Springs Valley High School, Indiana |
| Married to Larry Bird | 1975–1976 |
| Children | Corrie Bird (born 1977) with Larry Bird |
| Second Marriage | Some sources say she later married a man named Mike Deakins and has a daughter Mandy |
| Current Status | Lives a private life, largely out of public view; minimal social media presence |
Early Life & Background
Janet Condra was born in the 1950s in French Lick, Indiana, a small town known for its tight‑knit community. Her early family life remains largely private — the names of her parents and siblings are not well documented in credible sources.
She attended Springs Valley High School in Indiana. It was during her high school years that she met Larry Bird; they were schoolmates and began a relationship during their teenage years.
Her upbringing is characterized in many reports as modest, grounded, and rooted in the values of her small‑town community. Her lifestyle early on was typical of rural or semi‑rural Indiana: community, privacy, simplicity.
Relationship with Larry Bird & Marriage
Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s love story began in high school. Larry was already showing signs of his basketball talent, while Janet was part of his early support system during those formative years. Their high school romance led to marriage in November 1975.
However, the marriage was brief. Less than a year later, in 1976, the couple divorced. Many reports indicate that the pressures of Larry’s emerging basketball career, emotional immaturity, direction of life, or incompatibility were among the challenges.
After the divorce, Janet discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to their daughter Corrie Bird in 1977. Corrie was born after the separation/divorce process was underway.
Life as a Single Mother & Later Family Life
Raising a child largely on her own following the divorce, Janet Condra faced the challenges that come with single motherhood — emotional, financial, and social. She is described in sources as having had limited assistance from Larry Bird during Corrie’s early years. The public accounts suggest there was distance or lack of involvement initially.
Janet is reported in several sources to have remarried Mike Deakins. Together, they are said to have another daughter, Mandy, who reportedly performed songs (or sang) at Corrie’s wedding event. However, some of these details are less well-documented and may come from less verifiable sources.
Corrie Bird, Janet’s daughter with Larry, married Trent Batson in May of 2008.
Career and Personal Life Outside of Fame
Janet Condra does not appear to have leveraged her relationship with Larry Bird for a public career or fame. She has chosen a path of privacy.
A number of sources mention that she worked as a mail carrier in Indiana to support herself and her daughter. This indicates she held down a modest but stable job and did her best to raise her family without fanfare.
There is little evidence of public interviews, media appearances, or involvement in celebrity culture. She has reportedly avoided social media, public commentary, or being photographed often.
Net Worth & Financial Status
Janet Condra’s financial situation is not publicly documented in detail. Many articles estimate her net worth around US$500,000, but such numbers are speculative and may include assumptions about divorce settlement, earnings, savings, etc.
In contrast, Larry Bird is reported to have a substantially higher net worth (tens of millions) because of his NBA career, coaching, endorsements, etc.
Personal Traits, Reputation & Public Image
Janet Condra is frequently described in reports as:
- Quiet and reserved — she avoided media attention and chose privacy over fame.
- Strong and resilient — raising Corrie amid personal challenges, handling public interest while maintaining dignity.
- Loving and devoted as a mother — many sources emphasize her commitment to Corrie’s well‑being and keeping her out of undue public exposure.
What’s Unclear Conflicting Information
Because Janet Condra has kept much of her life private, there are several details that are either unconfirmed or contradictory across sources:
- Exact date of birth / age: Many sources say “1950s,” one suggests “mid‑1960s,” but there is no official record published.
- Details about her parents, siblings and early childhood: Very little verifiable information. Some sources list parents or siblings, but documentation or credible sources are lacking.
- Second marriage and children: Some sources claim she remarried (Mike Deakins) and had a daughter Mandy, others do not confirm or question those details.
- Net worth and financial deals: Since the divorce from Larry Bird was many decades ago, and there is no public lawsuit or settlement documentation readily available, most numbers are estimates.
Legacy & Impact
Even though Janet Condra has lived much of her life out of the spotlight, her story resonates in several meaningful ways:
- She illustrates the life behind celebrity — the effects on family, relationships, and the personal cost of fame, even when one is not the star.
- Her decision to protect her daughter’s childhood and shield her from media excess shows a strong maternal devotion.
- Her resilience as a single mother, working modest jobs, and maintaining dignity while being associated with a very famous person is often highlighted in stories about her.
- Her story is often used in contrast: Larry Bird’s public success vs. Janet’s more private life, emphasizing that people connected to famous figures also have their own paths, challenges, and choices.
Summary
Janet Condra’s life can be summed up as one marked by early romance, a brief high‑profile marriage, then a pivot toward privacy, family, and steady perseverance. Key takeaways:
- Born in the 1950s in French Lick, Indiana; attended Springs Valley High School where she met Larry Bird.
- Married Bird in 1975, divorced in 1976; daughter Corrie born in 1977.
- Raised Corrie largely as a single mother; later remarried (according to many sources) and had another daughter.
- Worked modest jobs (mail carrier reported) rather than seeking public life.
- Limited public profile, avoids social media; valued privacy.
- Net worth estimates are around US$500,000, though these should be taken with caution.
