Being as famous as Michael Jordan might sound enticing, but it gets old quickly. The Bulls icon learned that the hard way after he ascended to the top of the sport and had no personal space left.
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In a 1992 interview with Playboy Magazine, Jordan detailed how difficult and exhausting it was to adhere to the fans’ demands. He spoke about being constantly surrounded by people demanding pictures and autographs, invading his personal space, and showing no regard for his privacy.
He was also frustrated about often hearing from people that they wished they were in the same spot he held. He lashed out at the suggestion that his life was easy, saying,
“People say they wish they were Michael Jordan. OK, do it for a year. Do it for two years. Do it for five years. When you get past the fun part, then go do the part where you get into cities at three a.m. and you have fifteen people waiting for autographs when you’re as tired as hell. Your knees are sore, back’s sore, your body’s sore, and yet you have to sign fifteen autographs at three in the morning.”
In the years that followed, Jordan’s celebrity status would continue growing, leaving him increasingly exhausted.
Michael Jordan had fans going crazy for him
By 1992, Jordan had become one of the most well-known faces on the planet, which brought in more fans who wanted a piece of him. He stated during the interview that even when he wanted some alone time, he couldn’t get it because people followed him everywhere.
That situation worsened as he added accolades to his resume every year, ventured deep into the playoffs, and became more famous globally. The 1992 Olympics, his first three-peat, and the rise in popularity of the Nike x Jordan collaboration set up a strong foundation for him to be one of the biggest celebrities on the planet. As years passed, his popularity rose and he had to continue living the public life he dreaded.
Since his final season in the NBA, Jordan has practically retired from public life. He rarely makes public appearances and tries to stay away from the limelight. After decades of living with virtually no privacy, the six-time NBA champion is enjoying the peace he always sought.
