By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-22 05:41:56 | Updated at 2025-03-22 14:08:14
8 hours ago
George Foreman is one of the biggest names in the history of boxing, with his legacy intact as he shockingly passed away Friday at 76, with his family announcing the news on social media.
Foreman had not been public with any recent health issues, with his last Instagram post coming 19 weeks before his passing.
'Big George' was a two-time heavyweight champion and won a gold medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Foreman is also well known for his time as an entrepreneur, creating the George Foreman Grill, a countertop cooker that heats from two sides.
Well wishes quickly came in from around the world moments after his passing was announced, with many boxing colleagues paying tributes to one of the best to ever don a set of gloves.
Foreman had a unique legacy in and outside of the ring, with eight decades in the spotlight.
George Foreman is one of the biggest names in the history of boxing, with his legacy intact
He shockingly passed away Friday at 76, with his family announcing the news on social media
Who is George Foreman's spouse?
Foreman was married five times in his life, with Mary Joan Martelly being by his side from 1985 until his death.
Foreman was first married to Adrienne Calhoun from 1971 until 1974, and exchanged vows with Cynthia Lewis in 1977, staying married to 1979.
Sharon Goodson was Foreman's third wife, staying together for only a year, with a marriage to Andrea Skeete in 1982.
Skeete and Foreman separated in 1985, the same year he wed Martelly.
In the post where Foreman's passing was announced by his family, Martelly was pictured alongside her husband and his kids.
Foreman was married five times, with Mary Joan Martelly being by his side from 1985 on
How many kids does George Foreman have?
Foreman has 12 kids, with five sons and seven daughters.
All of his sons are also named George, with every one that is not the eldest, George Foreman Jr., getting a nickname to go along with their given name.
George III, a professional boxer himself, was known as Monk, George IV had a nickname of 'Big Wheel', while the final two George's had nicknames of 'Red' and 'Little Joey'.
All of his daughters have different names, with two, Natalia and Leola, coming from his final marriage to Martelly.
Foreman also adopted two daughters - Courtney and Brandie. His three other daughters were named Freeda, Michi, and Georgetta, with Freeda dying in 2019 of a reported suicide.
Foreman has 12 kids, with five sons and seven daughters, with each son being named George
George is pictured with one son and Leola in 2019, with each daughter having different names
What is George Foreman's net worth?
Foreman's net worth was considered around $300million, with two-thirds coming from his trademark George Foreman Grill.
Foreman was a boxer before the massive paydays from pay-per-view and brand deals that could have easily lined his pockets.
Although he and contemporaries, such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, were far from poor, being a two-time heavyweight champion would have been much more lucrative in the current scene.
Foreman reportedly made $200million from George Foreman Grills alone, with the heavyweight never truly revealing how much he made from the countertop cooker.
During its prime, Foreman earned $4.5million per month from the George Foreman Grill.
Foreman reportedly made $200million from George Foreman Grills alone during its prime
Foreman finished with a professional boxing record of 76-5, only being knocked out once
What is the legacy of George Foreman?
Foreman had one of the best comebacks in professional sports history, and achieved success in his late 40s few have, with the likes of Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, and Gordie Howe representing others in that exclusive club.
Foreman finished with a professional boxing record of 76-5, only being knocked out once in his career.
That fight was arguably Foreman's most famous however, the 'Rumble in the Jungle', against Ali, with more than 60,000 in attendance in Africa.
Foreman first retired from boxing in 1977, before returning to the sport in 1987. His record in his second boxing stint was 31-3, winning his first 24 on his return before losing to Evander Holyfield in 1991.
Foreman permanently retired from boxing after a majority-decision loss to Shannon Briggs in November 1997.
Foreman's 10th-round knockout of Michael Moorer at age 46 is considered one of the most unlikely sports feats of all-time, as he won the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.
