Charlie Sheen - The Hollywood actor revealed he is HIV positive in an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show. Pic/AFP

Charlie Sheen - The Hollywood actor revealed he is HIV positive in an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show. Pic/AFP

Freddie Mercury - The Queen lead singer succumbed to AIDS on November 24, 1991. Freddie died just a day after issuing an official statement that he was suffering from the disease, ending speculation that had been rife for a few years. The cause of his death was described as bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Pic/AFP

Freddie Mercury - The Queen lead singer succumbed to AIDS on November 24, 1991. Freddie died just a day after issuing an official statement that he was suffering from the disease, ending speculation that had been rife for a few years. The cause of his death was described as bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Pic/AFP

Magic Johnson - The NBA legend called a press conference on November 7, 1991 to announce that he had tested positive for HIV, and that he would be retiring immediately. Since, Johnson has been actively advocating HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Pic/AFP

Magic Johnson - The NBA legend called a press conference on November 7, 1991 to announce that he had tested positive for HIV, and that he would be retiring immediately. Since, Johnson has been actively advocating HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Pic/AFP

Rock Hudson - The Hollywood star, known for his romantic comedies, is said to have been diagnosed with HIV in June 1984. His publicist confirmed the same a year later. There were speculations that he contracted HIV during a blood transfusion from an infected donor in 1981. Hudson died in his sleep on October 2, 1985 of AIDS-related illness. He is said to be the first major celebrity to have succumbed to the dreaded disease. Pic/AFP

Rock Hudson - The Hollywood star, known for his romantic comedies, is said to have been diagnosed with HIV in June 1984. His publicist confirmed the same a year later. There were speculations that he contracted HIV during a blood transfusion from an infected donor in 1981. Hudson died in his sleep on October 2, 1985 of AIDS-related illness. He is said to be the first major celebrity to have succumbed to the dreaded disease. Pic/AFP

Arthur Ashe - A tennis legend, Ashe is said to have contracted HIV due to a blood transfusion that he received during a heart bypass surgery in the 1980s. In 1992, he made public that he was indeed suffering from AIDS, and died a year later. Before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. Pic/AFP

Arthur Ashe - A tennis legend, Ashe is said to have contracted HIV due to a blood transfusion that he received during a heart bypass surgery in the 1980s. In 1992, he made public that he was indeed suffering from AIDS, and died a year later. Before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. Pic/AFP

Greg Louganis - The American Olympic diver tested positive for HIV in 1988. He wrote about the same in his autobiography 'Breaking the Surface'. The 1997 television film, 'Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story', delves in various aspects of the athlete's life, including his HIV positive status. Pic/AFP

Greg Louganis - The American Olympic diver tested positive for HIV in 1988. He wrote about the same in his autobiography 'Breaking the Surface'. The 1997 television film, 'Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story', delves in various aspects of the athlete's life, including his HIV positive status. Pic/AFP

Anthony Perkins - Best known for portraying Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho', he is said to have been diagnosed with HIV while filming for 'Psycho III'. He died at his Los Angeles home in 1992 due to AIDS-related pneumonia. He was 60. Pic/AFP

Anthony Perkins - Best known for portraying Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho', he is said to have been diagnosed with HIV while filming for 'Psycho III'. He died at his Los Angeles home in 1992 due to AIDS-related pneumonia. He was 60. Pic/AFP

Robert Reed - Best remembered as father Mike Brady from the sitcom 'The Brady Bunch', Reed was diagnosed with colon cancer in November 1991. While the cancer is said to have caused his death, his death certificate mentioned that Reed was HIV positive, and that it was among factors that contributed to his demise

Robert Reed - Best remembered as father Mike Brady from the sitcom 'The Brady Bunch', Reed was diagnosed with colon cancer in November 1991. While the cancer is said to have caused his death, his death certificate mentioned that Reed was HIV positive, and that it was among factors that contributed to his demise

Eazy-E - The American rapper was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles with suspected asthma in February 1995. On the contrary, he was diagnosed with AIDS. He issued a public statement regarding the same a month later. He died on March 26, 1995 due to complications caused from the illness. Eazy-E was only 30

Eazy-E - The American rapper was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles with suspected asthma in February 1995. On the contrary, he was diagnosed with AIDS. He issued a public statement regarding the same a month later. He died on March 26, 1995 due to complications caused from the illness. Eazy-E was only 30

Liberace - A renowned American pianist, Liberace died of pneumonia caused by AIDS on February 4, 1987. While initially his death was attributed to various other factors such as anemia and heart disease, an autopsy confirmed that he succumbed to AIDS

Liberace - A renowned American pianist, Liberace died of pneumonia caused by AIDS on February 4, 1987. While initially his death was attributed to various other factors such as anemia and heart disease, an autopsy confirmed that he succumbed to AIDS