Janet Condra is best known as Larry Bird’s first wife and someone who knew the basketball legend before he became an NBA superstar. The two grew up in Indiana and attended the same high school, where their relationship began. They married in 1975, when both were still very young, but their marriage ended in divorce the following year.
Although Janet and Larry were together for only a short time, their family connection continued because they later became parents to a daughter, Corrie Bird. Janet has spent most of her life away from the spotlight, while Larry went on to become one of basketball’s most recognizable figures. Here’s what is known about Janet’s early life, marriage, family, career, and private life.
Who Is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra is an American woman from Indiana who became publicly known because of her relationship with Larry Bird. She was his first wife, and their marriage took place before Larry had established himself as one of the most successful players in NBA history.
Janet was part of Larry’s life during his younger years, long before the championships, awards, and worldwide recognition. She is also the mother of Corrie Bird, Larry’s daughter. Although Janet and Larry’s marriage was brief, their daughter kept them connected as a family.
Janet Condra’s Early Life
Janet Condra was born in Indiana, United States, although her exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed. Various websites have suggested that she was born sometime during the 1950s, but the conflicting information makes it difficult to determine her exact age in 2026.
She is reported to have grown up around French Lick, Indiana, the same area associated with Larry Bird’s childhood. Janet attended Springs Valley High School, where she and Larry reportedly became close. Their relationship began during a much simpler period of their lives, before Larry’s basketball career brought him national attention.
Janet Condra Profile Summary and Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janet Condra |
| Known for | Larry Bird’s first wife |
| Birth date | Not publicly confirmed |
| Reported birth year | 1950s |
| Age in 2026 | Not confirmed |
| Birthplace | Indiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Springs Valley High School |
| Ex-husband | Larry Bird |
| Married | 1975 |
| Divorced | 1976 |
| Children | Corrie Bird |
| Career | Reportedly worked two jobs |
| Net worth | Around $500,000, estimated but unconfirmed |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Residence in 2026 | Not confirmed |
| Social media | No known verified public account |
How Did Janet Condra Meet Larry Bird?
Janet Condra and Larry Bird reportedly met while they were teenagers in Indiana. Since they attended the same high school, they had the opportunity to get to know each other before Larry’s basketball career began. Their relationship eventually developed into a romance.
Many accounts describe Janet and Larry as high school sweethearts. At that stage, Larry was known mainly as a talented young basketball player with ambitions for the future, not as the NBA legend he would later become. Janet was therefore part of his life during his formative years.
After spending time together, the couple decided to marry. They were both young and still at the beginning of adulthood when they made that decision, hoping to build a future together away from the fame Larry would eventually experience.
Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s Marriage
Janet Condra and Larry Bird married in 1975. Larry was reportedly only 19 at the time, and his professional basketball career had not yet reached the level that would eventually make him famous around the world.
Their marriage was short-lived. The couple experienced difficulties and separated, with their divorce finalized in 1976. They had been married for less than a year, making it one of the briefest chapters in Larry Bird’s personal life.
Because both were very young, their marriage took place during a period when they were still figuring out their careers, family plans, and adult lives. However, the specific circumstances surrounding their relationship have not been fully documented in public sources.
Why Did Janet Condra and Larry Bird Divorce?
The exact reason for Janet Condra and Larry Bird’s divorce has never been fully explained in public. Neither has provided a detailed account that establishes exactly what caused their marriage to break down.
Larry later referred to his first marriage as a difficult period in his life, but that does not provide enough information to identify one specific cause for the divorce. Their youth and Larry’s changing career circumstances are sometimes mentioned in accounts about the relationship, but these should not be treated as confirmed reasons.
The most established facts are that they married in 1975 and divorced in 1976. Beyond those facts, the private details of their marriage remain largely between the two people who experienced it.
Did Janet Condra and Larry Bird Get Back Together?
After their divorce, Janet and Larry reportedly made another attempt to reconnect. Their relationship briefly resumed, although they did not decide to remarry.
That period became significant because Janet later gave birth to their daughter, Corrie Bird, in 1977. Although Janet and Larry were no longer husband and wife, becoming parents created a lasting connection between them.
Their brief reunion therefore became an important part of their family history. It also meant that Janet’s relationship with Larry continued in a different form, with their daughter becoming the central link between the two.
Janet Condra and Her Daughter Corrie Bird
Corrie Bird was born in 1977 to Janet Condra and Larry Bird. By then, Janet and Larry’s marriage had already ended, meaning Corrie grew up with her parents no longer together.
Janet remained largely outside the public spotlight while raising her daughter. Larry, meanwhile, was pursuing the basketball career that would eventually make him a major NBA star. Their lives moved in very different directions, but Corrie remained an important part of both of their family histories.
Janet’s role in Corrie’s upbringing is an important part of her story. She was not simply known as Larry Bird’s first wife; she was also Corrie’s mother and was connected to the family during Larry’s rise to fame.
Corrie Bird’s Difficult Relationship With Larry
Corrie Bird’s relationship with her father was reportedly distant during much of her childhood. Later accounts have described her efforts to establish a stronger connection with Larry and become more involved in his life.
Reports say Corrie sent Larry letters, school photographs, and report cards in an effort to maintain contact. These small gestures reflected her desire to develop a closer relationship with her father despite the distance between them.
The situation was undoubtedly part of a complicated family history. However, much of the personal experience surrounding their relationship comes from reported accounts rather than extensive public statements from Janet herself. It is therefore important to distinguish documented events from interpretations of how the family felt.
What Did Janet Condra Do for a Living?
Janet Condra’s professional history has never been extensively documented. Some reports state that she worked two jobs, apparently to support herself and her family, while other online accounts identify her as a mail carrier in Indiana.
The mail-carrier claim is not strongly established in the available information, so it is better treated as a reported detail rather than a confirmed career record. There is no indication that Janet pursued a highly public profession or sought attention because of her connection to Larry Bird.
Her working life remained largely private, which is one reason there are so few dependable details about her career today.
Did Janet Condra Marry Again?
Information about Janet Condra’s romantic life after her divorce from Larry Bird is inconsistent. Some websites claim that she later married a man named Mike Deakins, while other accounts suggest that she remained single.
Because these reports conflict and there is no sufficiently reliable public documentation confirming a second marriage, her later marital status should not be presented as a fact. Janet has generally kept her personal relationships away from public attention.
What can be established is that her marriage to Larry ended in 1976 and that she later remained connected to him through their daughter, Corrie. Details about any later relationships have largely remained private.
Where Is Janet Condra Today?
Janet Condra has maintained a very private life for many years. Unlike Larry Bird, whose career kept him in the public eye, Janet has rarely appeared in interviews, media reports, or public events connected to her former husband.
Her exact residence and current occupation in 2026 have not been reliably confirmed. There is also no widely recognized, verified social media account that can confidently be attributed to her.
Her private lifestyle stands in sharp contrast to Larry’s public career. While Larry became one of basketball’s most celebrated figures, Janet largely stayed away from fame and continued living outside the attention surrounding his career.
FAQs
Who Is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra is best known as Larry Bird’s first wife. The couple married in 1975 but ended their marriage the following year.
How Long Were Janet Condra and Larry Bird Married?
Janet Condra and Larry Bird were married for only about one year, from 1975 to 1976.
Did Janet Condra Have Children With Larry Bird?
Yes. Janet and Larry Bird had a daughter, Corrie Bird, who was born in 1977 after their divorce.
When Was Corrie Bird Born?
Corrie Bird was born in 1977. Reports say Janet and Larry briefly reunited after their divorce before Corrie’s birth.
What Happened to Janet Condra After Her Divorce?
Janet largely stayed away from public attention after her divorce from Larry Bird. Some reports say she worked multiple jobs to support herself and her daughter.
Did Janet Condra Remarry?
There are conflicting reports about Janet Condra’s later relationships. Some sources claim she married a man named Mike Deakins, while others suggest she remained single. Neither version has been firmly confirmed.
Where Is Janet Condra Now?
Janet Condra’s current residence and daily life have not been reliably documented in public sources. She has maintained a private life away from the spotlight.
What Did Janet Condra Do for a Living?
Some online reports say Janet worked two jobs and may have worked as a mail carrier in Indiana. However, these employment details have not been independently confirmed by strong public sources.
What Is Janet Condra’s Net Worth?
Janet Condra’s exact net worth is not publicly known. Some websites estimate it at around $500,000, but this figure should be treated as an unverified estimate.
Is Janet Condra on Social Media?
There is no widely verified public social media account that can confidently be attributed to Janet Condra. She has generally kept her personal life private.
Final Thoughts
Janet Condra was Larry Bird’s first wife, and their relationship began when they were young and living in Indiana. They married in 1975 but divorced the following year. Although their marriage was brief, they later became parents to Corrie Bird, giving them a lasting family connection.
Much of Janet’s life has remained private. Her exact age, later career, possible second marriage, current residence, and net worth have not been firmly established through reliable public information. What is clear is that she knew Larry Bird before his NBA fame and remained an important part of the personal story surrounding his early life and family.
