What Happened to Janet Condra After Her Divorce from Larry Bird?

Before Larry Bird became a basketball legend, before the NBA championships and MVP awards, he was just a small-town kid in love. That love was Janet Condra, his first wife and high school sweetheart. Their story started in Indiana, long before fame and spotlight entered the picture.

Many people know Larry Bird for his success on the court, but very few know the woman who once stood beside him during those early days. So, what really happened to Janet Condra after her marriage to Larry Bird ended? In today’s article, we’ll explore her life — from high school love to single motherhood, quiet strength, and everything in between.

Janet Condra Quick Bio

Who Is Janet Condra?

Janet Condra was born in French Lick, Indiana, the same small town where Larry Bird grew up. It was a peaceful place where neighbors knew each other, and life was simple. Janet had a quiet personality and lived a normal, small-town life. She was friendly, kind, and down-to-earth — just like most girls in French Lick.

She attended Springs Valley High School, where she became known for her warm nature. It was also where she met someone who would change her life forever — a tall, quiet basketball player named Larry Bird.

Not much is known about her family or early childhood, and she never looked for the spotlight. Even after her name became connected with Larry Bird, Janet remained private and low-key.

How Janet Met Larry Bird

Janet and Larry’s love story started just like many others — as teenagers in high school. They were young and full of dreams. Larry was already focused on basketball, and Janet supported him through everything. They were seen as a great couple in school — always together at events, cheering each other on.

Even when Larry went on to play college basketball at Indiana State University, the two stayed close. They believed their love was strong enough to survive anything. Eventually, they made a big decision — they got married.

A Short Marriage to a Future NBA Star

On November 8, 1975, Janet and Larry got married. At that time, Larry was still working toward his basketball dreams, and Janet was hopeful about their future together. But things didn’t go the way they were planned.

The marriage only lasted about a year. They faced problems early on. Larry was spending more and more time on the court, and the pressure of becoming a professional athlete was growing. The couple tried to make it work, but couldn’t hold things together. On October 31, 1976, they officially divorced.

It was a difficult time for both of them. They were young, and life was changing fast. What started as a high school dream had quickly turned into a painful breakup.

Their Daughter Corrie Bird

Just a few months after the divorce, Janet found out she was pregnant. On August 14, 1977, she gave birth to their daughter, Corrie Bird. This could have been a moment to reconnect, but things didn’t go that way.

Larry Bird did not believe he was the father at first. A DNA test later confirmed he was. Even after that, Larry stayed distant. He was busy with his NBA career, while Janet was left to raise Corrie alone.

Despite the pain, Janet stayed strong. She worked hard to make sure her daughter had a good life, even without her father around. Corrie would later grow up to be a smart, successful woman, thanks in large part to her mom’s love and support.

Larry Bird Called Their Marriage His “Biggest Mistake”

In later interviews, Larry Bird spoke openly about his short marriage to Janet. He once called it “the worst mistake” of his life. That quote caught attention and hurt a lot of people, especially Janet.

Imagine being married young, having a child, and then hearing your former partner say that your marriage was a regret. It wasn’t easy for Janet to hear that, but she never responded publicly or said anything bad about Larry.

Instead, she chose to stay silent and keep living her life. That decision showed the world that Janet was a strong woman, one who wouldn’t let public words define her.

Janet Raised Corrie as a Single Mom

After the divorce, Janet focused all her energy on one thing: raising her daughter Corrie. She didn’t have Larry’s fame or fortune. What she did have was a strong heart and the will to provide a good life.

She worked two jobs to make ends meet. She was both mom and dad, doing everything from school drop-offs to paying bills on her own. Corrie would later say that her mother was her biggest role model.

Janet didn’t complain, and she didn’t seek attention. She simply worked hard, loved her daughter deeply, and built a life without depending on anyone else.

Her Job and Working Life After Divorce

To support herself and Corrie, Janet worked hard. For many years, she served as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. It wasn’t a glamorous job, but it was honest and steady.

Janet became a familiar face in her local Indiana community. She walked her delivery route with a smile and earned respect from everyone who knew her. After many years of service, she retired in 2018.

Even though she could have lived off the fame of being Larry Bird’s ex-wife, she never did. She built a life from the ground up, with honest work and quiet strength.

Did Janet Condra Ever Remarry?

Yes, Janet Condra did remarry — but she kept it very private. After many years of living as a single mom, she later found love again with a man named Mike Deakins.

Unlike her first marriage, Janet’s second relationship stayed far away from public attention. There were no photos, no interviews, and no headlines. And that’s exactly how Janet wanted it. She didn’t need the world to know her story. She just wanted peace.

Even now, very little is known about Mike Deakins. This shows how strongly Janet protected her new life. She wanted something different — a normal life, without the pressure of being linked to a sports legend.

Where Is Janet Condra Now?

As of 2025, Janet Condra is believed to still live in Indiana, close to the area where she was born and raised. She lives a calm and quiet life, away from the spotlight.

You won’t find Janet on Instagram or Facebook. She doesn’t give interviews. She doesn’t attend basketball events or reunions. She has fully stepped away from that world.

Her life now is focused on family, privacy, and peace. After going through so much in her early years, Janet has earned the quiet life she now enjoys. And for someone who never chased fame, this simple lifestyle fits her perfectly.

Her Daughter Corrie’s Life and Family Today

Today, Corrie Bird is all grown up and living her own full life. She works as a healthcare manager and is doing well. In May 2008, Corrie married Trent Batson in a sweet and beautiful ceremony. And yes — Larry Bird did walk her down the aisle.

That moment showed that even though the past was tough, healing was possible. Corrie now has two children of her own, making Janet a proud grandmother.

Even if Larry wasn’t there during her childhood, Corrie always had Janet. And that bond between mother and daughter is still strong today. Corrie often speaks about how Janet gave her everything and raised her with love and strength.

How Janet Handled Fame and the Spotlight

Janet Condra could have taken a very different path. She was once married to one of the most famous basketball players in the world. She could have told her story in books or shows. She could have become a public figure.

But she never wanted that kind of life. Janet didn’t chase interviews or use Larry Bird’s name for attention. She never tried to be in the news. She just kept living her life quietly, doing her job, and raising her daughter.

Her choice to stay out of the spotlight shows her true nature. She didn’t want to be known as “Larry Bird’s ex-wife.” She wanted to be known as a good mom, a hard worker, and a kind person. And that’s exactly what she became.

Janet Condra’s Net Worth

As of now, Janet Condra’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. This money likely came from her years of steady work, possibly some early divorce support, and her smart lifestyle. She was never flashy. She lived simply and saved wisely.

Compared to Larry Bird’s estimated net worth of $75 million, Janet’s amount may seem small. But she didn’t care about the money or the fame. She built a life that made her happy — and that’s something you can’t measure in dollars.

Final Thoughts

So, what happened to Janet Condra after her divorce from Larry Bird? A lot. She went through heartbreak, became a single mom, worked hard for years, and found peace again. She didn’t let fame change her. She didn’t let pain break her.

Janet’s story is about quiet strength. It’s about choosing a normal life in a world that could have easily pulled her into chaos. And even though her marriage to Larry Bird ended, her life didn’t.

She raised a strong daughter, found love again, and created a life full of dignity, love, and peace. That’s the kind of story that truly matters.

(FAQs)

How many times has Larry Bird been married?

Larry Bird has been married twice. His first marriage to Janet Condra lasted less than a year, and he once called it his “biggest mistake.”

How old is Janet Condra now, and when was she born?

Janet Condra was born in the 1950s and is now in her early to mid-70s — though her exact birth date is still a mystery!

What did Janet Condra look like when she was young?

As a teen, Janet was known for her blonde hair, soft smile, and quiet charm — the sweet high school girl who captured Larry Bird’s heart.

How tall is Janet Condra?

Janet Condra stands around 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall — taller than most women of her generation.

Where is Janet Condra today?

Today, Janet lives a quiet, retired life in Indiana, far from the spotlight. She has no social media and hasn’t been seen publicly in years.

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