Janet Condra was born in French Lick, Indiana during the 1950s, a period marked by small-town life and close-knit communities. She attended Springs Valley High School, where she grew up alongside future basketball legend Larry Bird. Though her marriage lasted from 1975–1976, she remains recognized primarily as his first wife and the mother of Corrie Bird. Her career as a mail carrier and later family life with Mike Deakins reflect her independence, privacy, and commitment to personal fulfillment.
Early Life and Background of Janet Condra
Growing up in French Lick, Janet Condra experienced a modest environment shaped by community, neighbors, and friends. Her upbringing instilled resilience, strong family values, and a down-to-earth nature. Small-town life exposed her to shared experiences, social circles, and childhood bonds that laid the foundation for her personal development. Her early years emphasized simplicity, American Midwest values, and a strong sense of responsibility, qualities she carried into adulthood.
Meeting Larry Bird: High School Sweethearts
As teenagers, Janet Condra and Larry Bird met at Springs Valley High School, forming a teenage romance that reflected young love and community ties. They shared school events, basketball games, and local gatherings, building a personal connection that led to their marriage in 1975. Their relationship showcased ambitions, future planning, and the typical challenges of a young couple navigating early responsibilities.
Quick Bio / Personal Information
Here is some personal information points.
| Quick Bio / Personal Information | Explanation |
| Janet Condra – First wife of Larry Bird | Identifies her role in Larry Bird’s life |
| Born: French Lick, Indiana | Shows her hometown and roots |
| Born in: 1950s | Indicates her approximate age |
| High School: Springs Valley High School | Reveals her education background |
| Marriage: Larry Bird (1975–1976) | Details her first marriage |
| Child: Corrie Bird | Names her daughter with Larry Bird |
| Second Marriage: Mike Deakins | Mentions her remarriage and family life |
| Career: Mail Carrier | Shares her professional life outside fame |
| Residence: Indiana | Shows her long-term location |
| Personality: Private | Highlights her preference for privacy |
| Parenting: Single Mother | Reflects her dedication raising Corrie alone |
| Legacy: Strength, Dignity | Represents her character and life choices |
| Net Worth: $500,000 (estimated) | Gives approximate financial status |
| Community: Small-town ties | Emphasizes her connection to French Lick |
| Childhood: Close-knit environment | Illustrates her upbringing |
| Influence: Mother-daughter bond | Shows impact on her daughter’s life |
| Life Approach: Independence | Reflects self-reliance and autonomy |
| Privacy: Avoided media attention | Highlights deliberate low profile |
| Life Lessons: Resilience, Fulfillment | Represents her example for others |
| Recognition: Known through Larry Bird | Explains her public acknowledgment |
Marriage to Larry Bird (1975–1976)
Janet Condra married Larry Bird at a young age, entering a brief union during the start of Larry’s basketball career. The pressures of fame, training, and travel made sustaining the marriage challenging. The couple separated within less than a year, finalizing their divorce in 1976. Despite the short-lived marriage, the bond remained significant due to their daughter, Corrie Bird, and shared experiences during those formative years.
Parenting and Birth of Corrie Bird
After the divorce, Janet Condra gave birth to Corrie Bird in 1977, establishing a lasting mother-daughter bond. As a single mother, she provided emotional stability, guidance, and a nurturing environment. While Larry Bird focused on his NBA career, Janet maintained upbringing, parental responsibility, and a strong sense of independence. Her role in child development emphasized strength, resilience, and family values despite limited parental involvement from Larry.
Life After Divorce: Privacy and Independence
Janet Condra chose a private life, living largely off the public radar in Indiana. She maintained privacy, avoided media appearances, and focused on personal independence. Her career as a mail carrier supported family life, while her second marriage to Mike Deakins offered stability. Through discretion, she built a low-profile life, emphasizing personal choices, community ties, and self-sufficiency over public attention.
Larry Bird’s Rise to Stardom and Family Dynamics
While Larry Bird achieved NBA stardom, Janet Condra focused on raising Corrie Bird with dedication and consistency. Their distant relationship reflected the challenges of balancing celebrity fame and parenting. She provided stability, guidance, and a nurturing environment, ensuring her daughter developed resilience and independence. Her quiet influence contrasted with the public attention surrounding Larry Bird’s basketball legacy and NBA achievements.
Janet Condra’s Legacy and Life Today
Today, Janet Condra continues to lead a quiet life in Indiana, reflecting strength, dignity, and independence. Her legacy includes raising Corrie Bird, maintaining privacy, and achieving personal fulfillment without seeking fame. She is remembered for her discretion, personal integrity, and the peaceful lifestyle she cultivated. Her estimated net worth of $500,000 comes from career efforts and investments, highlighting her resilience and dedication to family.
Common Misconceptions
Many people confuse Corrie Bird with Mariah Bird or assume Janet Condra sought fame after her marriage. Unverified blogs and media reports often misstate her career, residence, or personal life. The truth is she valued privacy, lived independently, and maintained a low-profile public presence. She consistently avoided rumors, speculation, and public scrutiny, ensuring her life choices remained her own.
Lessons from Janet Condra’s Life
Privacy is power, and Janet Condra embodies this principle. By controlling her personal narrative, she maintained dignity, avoided public drama, and shaped a life of quiet influence. Her parenting, resilience, and commitment to family stability serve as lessons in contentment, personal fulfillment, and independence. She demonstrates that everyday choices often define strength more than public recognition or fame.
FAQs
- Who is Janet Condra?
Janet Condra is the first wife of Larry Bird and the mother of his biological daughter, Corrie Bird. She married in the 1970s and lived a private, independent life thereafter, maintaining discretion and a low-profile existence.
- When were Janet Condra and Larry Bird married?
They married in 1975 and divorced in 1976. Their brief union coincided with Larry Bird’s early basketball career, young age, and the challenges of public attention and training commitments.
- Does Janet Condra have children?
Yes, she gave birth to Corrie Bird in 1977, establishing a strong mother-daughter bond. Larry Bird’s limited involvement emphasized her role in parental responsibility and child upbringing.
- Is Janet Condra still in contact with Larry Bird?
Their relationship remained distant. Janet Condra prioritized privacy, family life, and independence, avoiding public scrutiny while raising Corrie Bird.