Nationwide — George Edward Foreman Sr., the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who became a beloved household name through his bestselling George Foreman Grill, has died at the age of 76. His family announced his passing on March 21, 2025, via his official Instagram page sharing that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Remembered not only as a boxing icon but also as a preacher, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Foreman leaves behind a legacy built on faith, perseverance, and reinvention.
Born in 1949 in Houston, Texas, Foreman grew up in poverty in the city’s infamous Fifth Ward. He dropped out of school at 15 and became involved in crime before joining the Job Corps at 16, where he earned his GED and learned carpentry and bricklaying. It was there he discovered boxing, initially to lose weight, and soon found himself on a fast track to greatness. At 19, he won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, famously waving a small American flag in the ring to express his pride.
According to People, Foreman turned professional in 1969 and quickly rose through the ranks, going undefeated until he fought and defeated Joe Frazier in 1973 to become the heavyweight champion. However, one of his most remembered fights came a year later in 1974, when he faced Muhammad Ali in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire (the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Ali’s victory over Foreman became legendary, and although Foreman never got a rematch, the two eventually became close friends. Foreman retired in 1977 after a spiritual awakening and became a born-again Christian.
Facing financial hardship, Foreman made a comeback in 1987 at age 38. He eventually reclaimed the heavyweight title in 1994, defeating Michael Moorer and becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history. His second run in boxing brought him not only more victories but a new level of fame, leading to media appearances and endorsements. He retired for good in 1999 with a record of 76 wins and only five losses.
Outside the ring, Foreman built a business empire. He became the face of the George Foreman Grill in 1994, and it went on to sell over 100 million units. He later became a television personality, appeared on The Masked Singer in 2022, and executive produced the 2023 biopic Big George Foreman on Netflix. He also shared life lessons through public speaking and his personal website, GeorgeForeman.com.
Foreman fathered 12 children, including five sons all named George Edward Foreman, a tradition he said symbolized unity among them. He was married four times, most recently to Mary Joan Martelly, whom he wed in 1985. In recent years, Foreman faced allegations of past abuse, which he denied. He is survived by his wife, 11 of his children, and numerous grandchildren.
