Janet Condra: The Untold Story of Larry Bird’s Ex-Wife
Janet Condra’s journey of love, heartbreak, independence, and the enduring bond with her daughter Corrie Bird
Janet Condra is most recognized as the former wife of Larry Bird, the legendary NBA star who became one of the greatest basketball players in history. But her story is much more than simply being connected to a sports icon. She was a small town girl from French Lick, Indiana, raised with strong community values, who fell in love with her high school sweetheart and stepped into marriage and motherhood at a very young age.
Her path was not easy. Following her brief marriage to Larry Bird, Janet took on the primary responsibility of raising their daughter while he pursued basketball success. Instead of chasing fame, she focused on family, steady work, and later found love again in a second marriage.
In this article, we’ll look at Janet Condra’s full life story, from her childhood in French Lick and marriage to Larry Bird, to raising Corrie, her career, her private life, and the quiet legacy she built.
Quick Facts About Janet Condra
👤 Full Name: Janet Condra
🎂 Born: 1950s (exact date not public)
📍 Birthplace: French Lick, Indiana, USA
🎓 Education: Springs Valley High School
💍 Spouse(s): Larry Bird (m. 1975–1976), later married Mike Deakins
👧 Children: Corrie Bird (b. 1977)
📬 Career: Former mail carrier in Indiana
🏡 Current Residence: Believed to still live in Indiana, living privately
✨ Known For: First wife of NBA legend Larry Bird and mother of his only biological child
Early life of Janet Condra
Childhood in French Lick, Indiana
Janet Condra grew up in French Lick, Indiana, during the 1950s the same hometown that shaped Larry Bird’s early years. French Lick was a close knit community where neighbors felt like family, children played outside until dark, and life was simple.
Her exact date of birth has never been publicly shared, but based on records, she would be in her early to mid 70s today. Growing up in that small town gave Janet strong values of loyalty, hard work, and resilience, qualities that would later help her face the challenges of single motherhood.
High school years
Janet attended Springs Valley High School, where she was friendly, active, and well liked by classmates. It was during this time that she met a tall, shy basketball player named Larry Bird. What began as teenage friendship grew into young love, and soon they were known as one of the most admired couples in their school and community.
Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s relationship
High school sweethearts
Janet and Larry spent much of their youth together, going to school dances, attending games, and sharing small town moments. Larry was already deeply focused on basketball, practicing tirelessly with dreams of making it big. Through it all, Janet was his biggest supporter, standing beside him when few could have guessed the heights he would one day reach.
Marriage at a young age
On November 8, 1975, Janet and Larry married. They were still very young, full of hope and convinced that their love would last. Over time, their paths started to drift apart. Larry was devoted to his basketball career at Indiana State University, while Janet longed for a stable home life.
The differences became too heavy to overcome. On October 31, 1976, less than a year later, they divorced. It was a short lived marriage, but one that shaped both of their lives in lasting ways.
The birth of Corrie Bird
A daughter after divorce
Even after their divorce, their lives remained linked when Janet welcomed Corrie Bird in 1977, Larry’s only biological child. It should have been a time of celebration, but instead, it became complicated.
Raising Corrie alone
Larry, by then on the path to NBA stardom, denied being Corrie’s father at first. A paternity test confirmed the truth, but his involvement in Corrie’s life remained limited. Janet became Corrie’s primary caregiver, fulfilling the responsibilities of both parents.
Being a single parent is never easy, yet Janet worked tirelessly to make sure Corrie grew up in a home filled with love, guidance, and stability. Even though Larry was absent, Janet ensured Corrie never lacked the care and affection that truly matter in a child’s life.
Life after divorce
A private and quiet life
As Larry rose to fame, Janet deliberately lived a quieter, more private life. She stayed away from publicity, avoided interviews, and never tried to cash in on her connection to the basketball icon. She lived quietly, focused on being a good mother and creating her own future.
Career as a mail carrier
She built her career as a postal worker in Indiana, a reliable and respected profession. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave her independence and kept her close to her community. Her work reflected her preference for a normal, grounded life rather than a life of attention or fame.
Remarriage and second chapter
In later years, Janet remarried. She became the wife of Mike Deakins, a man outside the public spotlight. Their marriage was very private, with little information available, which shows once again how much Janet valued peace over publicity.
Corrie Bird’s life and connection to her parents
Growing up with her mother
Corrie grew up mostly under Janet’s care. For many years she had little contact with her father, and she later spoke publicly about wanting a closer relationship with him. In 1998, during an interview on Oprah Winfrey’s show, she expressed her feelings openly.
Building her own future
As an adult, Corrie followed her own path. Corrie pursued a career in healthcare administration and in 2008 she wed Trent Batson in Terre Haute, Indiana. At her wedding, she reportedly had her father present, showing that despite years of distance, some connections had been made.
Through it all, Janet’s steady role as a mother remained Corrie’s strongest support system.
Reflections on Janet Condra’s story
What makes Janet Condra’s story meaningful is the contrast. Larry Bird went on to achieve worldwide recognition, capturing championships and cementing his status as a basketball legend. Janet chose the opposite road, one of privacy, normalcy, and dignity.
Her life shows that strength doesn’t always come from the spotlight. Sometimes it comes from raising a child alone, working a steady job, and choosing not to be defined by someone else’s fame.
In the end, Janet Condra’s legacy is not about headlines or fame, but about the quiet courage of a mother who put family above all else. She is a reminder that dignity can be found in silence, strength in ordinary choices, and legacy in the love given to a child.
Frequently asked questions about Janet Condra
When did she marry Larry Bird?
Janet and Larry exchanged vows on November 8, 1975, but their marriage ended in divorce less than a year later on October 31, 1976.
Did they have children together?
The couple had one child together, Corrie Bird, who was born in 1977.
Did Janet Condra remarry?
Janet eventually remarried Mike Deakins and chose to maintain a quiet, private lifestyle.
Where is Janet Condra now?
She is believed to still be living in Indiana, enjoying a quiet and peaceful life in her later years.
