George Foreman, two-time heavyweight champion and entrepreneur, remembered for his charisma both inside and outside the ring.
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George Edward Foreman Sr, the two-time heavyweight champion and successful businessman, has died at the age of 76, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram account.
Foreman, who passed away on 21 March 2025 surrounded by family, was described as ‘a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather.’
George Foreman’s journey: From streets to olympic champion
Born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949, he was raised in Houston by a single mother alongside six siblings. Growing up poor in the segregated American South, Foreman left school early and regularly found himself in street fights. A place in the Job Corps proved a turning point, encouraging him to channel his energy into boxing. He soon became a fearsome young fighter, culminating in his triumph at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, where he won heavyweight gold at just 19 years old.
Foreman’s rumble in the Jungle and historic comeback
Foreman’s professional ascent was equally dramatic. He battered Joe Frazier to win the world heavyweight title in 1973, only to lose it a year later to Muhammad Ali during the iconic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in Kinshasa. This crushing defeat sent Foreman into a personal spiral, prompting him to step away from boxing and become an ordained minister in 1977.
A decade later, a heavier and more affable ‘Big George’ stunned the sporting world by returning to the ring. Fuelled by a desire to support a youth centre he founded, Foreman methodically worked his way back into contention. Despite losing to Evander Holyfield in 1991, Foreman made history in 1994 by knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title at the remarkable age of 45, making him the oldest man ever to hold that crown.
George Foreman’s business success and lasting legacy
Foreman’s second act as an entrepreneur turned him into a pop-culture icon. While he remained an inspirational preacher, it was his lucrative endorsement of the famous fat-reducing grill that secured his financial success. Known for his booming laugh and positive outlook, Foreman readily embraced the spotlight, becoming the face of self-improvement and reinvention.
Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, whom he married in 1985, and his extended family that includes five sons (each named George) and seven daughters. The statement from his family praised him as ‘a force for good’ who fought tirelessly to protect his legacy. They also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers, asking for privacy as they honour a man whose story ranged from tough Texan streets to the pinnacle of the boxing world and far beyond.
Foreman’s professional record stands at 76 wins and five losses, and he will be remembered not just for his thunderous punches, but for his message of hope, discipline and second chances.
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