Who was George Foreman? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Nick Name: Big George

Also Known As: George Edward Foreman,

Died At Age: 76

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Mary Joan Martelly (m. 1985), Adrienne Calhoun (m. 1971–1974), Andrea Skeete (m. 1982–1985), Cynthia Lewis (m. 1977–1979), Sharon Goodson (m. 1981–1982)

father: Leroy Moorehead

mother: Nancy Foreman

siblings: Roy Foreman

children: Courtney Isaac Foreman, Freeda Foreman, George Foreman III, George Foreman IV, George Foreman Jr., George Foreman V, George Foreman VI, Georgetta Foreman, Isabella Brandie Lilja Foreman, Isabella Brenda Lilja Foreman, Leola Foreman, Michi Foreman, Natalia Foreman, Natalie Foreman

Born Country: United States

African American Men Boxers

Height: 6'4" (193 cm), 6'4" Males

Died on: March 21, 2025

place of death: Houston, Texas, United States

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

awards: 1973 - Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
1976 - Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
1973 - BWAA Fighter of the Year

1994 - BWAA Fighter of the Year
1968 - United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
1974 - World Heavyweight Champion
1994–1995 - IBF Heavyweight Champion
1994–1995 - WBA Heavyweight Champion
1994-1997 - Lineal World Heavyweight Champion
1968 - Olympic Boxing Champions in Men's Heavyweight
1994 - Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year

Recommended For You

1

What was George Foreman famous for?

George Foreman was famous for being a former professional boxer and two-time heavyweight champion of the world.
2

How many children did George Foreman had?

George Foreman had 12 children.
3

What year did George Foreman retire from professional boxing?

George Foreman officially retired from professional boxing in 1997.
4

What is the George Foreman Grill?

The George Foreman Grill is a popular electric grill that allows for healthier cooking by reducing fat content from meats.
5

Had George Foreman written any books?

Yes, George Foreman had written several books, including "By George: The Autobiography of George Foreman" and "Knock-out Entrepreneur".

Recommended Lists:

American Celebrities

American Men

Tall Celebrities

Tall Male Celebrities

Capricorn Boxers

Childhood & Early Life

George Edward Foreman was born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, USA. He was raised by his mother Nancy and stepfather J.D. Foreman whom his mother married after he was born. His biological father was Leroy Moorehead.

He grew up with six siblings in a very poor household in Houston, Texas. His stepfather was a drunkard and spent all his money on alcohol. The family depended on Nancy’s meager salary.

As a teenager, he often got into trouble with the law. He dropped out of school at the age of 15. He often got involved in street fights and gang clashes. It was during these years that he decided to join ‘Job Corps’ and moved to California to get trained in boxing.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

American Boxers

Male Sportspersons

American Sportspersons

Career

In 1968, Foreman went on to win a gold medal in the ‘Summer Olympics’ in Mexico City, Mexico. It was during this time that there were riots in the US over civil rights. The African-American community was still under confusion whether or not to support the US policy. Many African-American athletes were publicly showing their contempt against the US policy. However, it did not deter Foreman from winning the medal for his country.

In 1969, Foreman decided to take up boxing professionally and went through serious and rigorous training sessions. The same year, he took part in his first pro boxing match against Don Walheim in New York City. He won the match in a three-round knockout.

1969 and 1970 were glorious years in the career of Foreman as he fought in 13 matches in 1969 and won all of them. In 1970, he continued winning boxing matches by knocking out 11 men in total. Despite all his wins, people criticized Foreman and said that he only won these matches because he fought against the has-beens.

In 1973, he silenced his critics by fighting the ace champion Joe Frazier. In this epic match, Foreman sent Frazier to the mat twice by the end of the first round. By the end of the second round, Frazier was beaten.

In 1974, Foreman participated in a match against the infamous heavyweight boxer Ken Norton. Ken Norton was notorious for his awkward boxing techniques and for breaking Muhammad Ali’s jaw. By the second round, Foreman had beaten Norton so badly that he wobbled in the ring and the referee had to intervene to stop the fight. This gave Foreman a 40-0 record with 37 knockouts.

In the summer of 1974, Foreman suffered his first defeat. He fought against Muhammad Ali in a match that took place in Congo. It was a tough match where both the boxers fought very hard. By the eighth round, Foreman was tired and with Ali’s final blow to his head and jaw it was declared that Foreman had lost the match.

Foreman made a comeback in 1976 in Las Vegas. He fought against Ron Lyle and after the fifth round Foreman sent Lyle to the ground and won the match. This win helped him gain confidence which he had lost after the match against Muhammad Ali.

In 1977, Foreman won a match against Pedro Agosto in Florida, but lost a match against Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico. Foreman was tired by the second half of the fight and endured a flash knockdown at the hands of Young.

It was in the dressing room after the fight with Jimmy Young that Foreman became ill and claimed to have suffered a near death experience. Later on, he said that it was in that moment of despair and suffering that he decided to change the ways of his life and dedicate his life to Christianity. He became a born-again Christian and stopped fighting.

Continue Reading Below

In the following years, he became an ordained minister in Houston, Texas, and devoted his life to god and his family. He also opened a youth center and shared his spiritual experience on television. He also started appearing on chat shows like ‘The 700 Club.’

After 10 years of keeping himself away from the boxing ring, Foreman decided to make a comeback at the age of 38, surprising everyone. Despite being out of shape, he knocked out Steve Zouski in the fourth round of the match in Sacramento, California.

In 1988, he won nine fights, notably knocking out the Cruiserweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi in one of the fights.

By 1989, Foreman had started using his popularity to sell diverse products by appearing on TV commercials. Thanks to his frequent TV appearances, he went on to become a household name in the US. In these commercials, he was portrayed as a smiling and gentle person as opposed to the image he had as a boxer.

In 1991, Foreman fought the Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield for the world title in a pay-per-view boxing event. Although, Foreman lasted the full 12 rounds, Holyfield proved to be too strong for him and Foreman lost the match.

In 1993, Foreman lost a match against Tommy Morrison. Morrison was more agile and younger than Foreman and he tired him out by the 12th round. Foreman was denied an opportunity to fight in another championship match after his loss to Morrison, but he took the case to the court pleading age discrimination and eventually won the case.

In 1994, he fought against Michael Moorer in a title match in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the first nine rounds Moorer boxed well, but in the 10th round Foreman punched Moorer in the chin and the latter landed flat on his back. This win earned Foreman the championship that he had lost to Muhammad Ali 20 years ago—the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation Heavyweight title.

In 1997, Foreman took part in a match against Shannon Briggs. The winner was to face WBC champion Lennox Lewis. By the 12th round, Briggs was declared the winner and Foreman retired for good at the age of 48.

Continue Reading Below

Major Fights

In 1974, Foreman’s match, famously promoted as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle,’ against Muhammad Ali was a historical match and an important one in the life of Foreman. At the end of the match, Foreman faced defeat for the first time in his boxing career.

In 1987, Foreman made his comeback after 20 years of retirement from boxing. He won at the age of 38, in a match against Steve Zouski by knocking him out in the fourth round. He won the match despite being out of shape. He stated that he wanted to show everyone that age doesn’t define one’s success or failure.

In 1994, he became the world champion by defeating Michael Moorer in Las Vegas. He won the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation, the title he had lost to Muhammad Ali in the epic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ 20 years back.

Personal Life & Legacy

From 1971 to 1985, Foreman got divorced four times. It is said that one of his wives fled to Barbados with their kids but he found them and brought them back.

He had 12 children and two adopted daughters. He adopted Isabella Brandie Lilja and Courtney Isaac in 2009, and 2012, respectively. He lived with his wife Mary Joan Martelly.

Death

George Foreman passed away in Houston, Texas, on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

Facts About George Foreman

George Foreman named all five of his sons George: George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and George VI. He said it was a way to make sure they always remembered where they came from.

George Foreman became a minister after retiring from boxing and had performed numerous weddings for friends and family members.

In addition to his successful boxing career, George Foreman also endorsed the George Foreman Grill, a popular kitchen appliance.

George Foreman had a passion for entrepreneurship and had launched various successful business ventures, including a line of environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Despite his tough exterior in the boxing ring, George Foreman was known for his warm and friendly demeanor outside of it, often engaging with fans and supporters in a personable way.

George Foreman Biography

You wanted to know

What was George Foreman famous for?

How many children did George Foreman had?

What year did George Foreman retire from professional boxing?

What is the George Foreman Grill?

Had George Foreman written any books?

Death