George Foreman, born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, is a legendary figure in boxing. He won Olympic gold in 1968 and became world champion in 1973. Foreman is known for his impressive three-decade boxing career, and he holds the record for the oldest heavyweight champion in history, having regained the title at the age of 45.
Here we learn about George Foreman’s net worth, earnings, career overview, achievements, personal life, and more.
About George Foreman
- Brief Description: Two-time world heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur known for the George Foreman Grill.
- Birthdate and Place: January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, U.S.
- Notable Victories: Won the world heavyweight title with a knockout of Joe Frazier in 1973; regained the title at age 45 in 1994.
- Historic Record: Oldest world heavyweight champion in history at 46 years and 169 days old.
- Professional Record: 81 total fights, with 76 wins (68 by KO) and 5 losses.
Entrepreneurship: Sold the commercial rights to the George Foreman Grill for $138 million in 1999. - Hall of Fame: Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Early Life
Foreman’s early life was marked by adversity, as he grew up in Houston’s rough Fifth Ward district and dropped out of school in the ninth grade.
However, he found a connection to boxing through the Job Corps, which provided him with a mentor in trainer Doc Broadus.
Foreman quickly adapted to the sport and was named to the U.S. Olympic boxing team for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Professional Boxing Career
Foreman’s professional boxing career began in 1969, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He defeated top opposition, including Gregorio Peralta and George Chuvalo.
In 1973, Foreman met heavyweight king Joe Frazier and knocked him out in just two rounds to claim the heavyweight championship.
He defended his title successfully twice against Jose “King” Roman and Ken Norton. However, Foreman’s reign as heavyweight champion ended with a loss to Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” title bout in 1974.
After a series of exhibition bouts, Foreman bested Ron Lyle over five action-packed rounds in 1976. He also defeated Frazier and Scott LeDoux that year.
Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 after a loss to Jimmy Young, but he returned to the sport in 1987 after a 10-year hiatus.
He racked up wins over Dwight Qawi, Bert Cooper, and Gerry Cooney to earn a shot at Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight title in 1991.
Foreman’s second professional boxing career culminated in a TKO victory over Michael Moorer on November 5, 1994, to regain the heavyweight championship at the age of 45.
He retired from the ring with a 76-5 (68 KOs) record following a controversial loss to Shannon Briggs in 1997.
Olympic Gold
Foreman’s successful amateur career included the 1968 National AAU heavyweight championship and the Gold Medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
He was an Olympic gold medalist at age 19 and beat Joe Frazier for the heavyweight championship in just two rounds when he was 24.
George Foreman’s Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2025, George Foreman’s net worth is $300 million.
While his boxing career was successful, with 76 wins out of 81 fights and two world heavyweight championship titles, a relatively small portion of his fortune comes from boxing. Instead, Foreman’s wealth is primarily attributed to his entrepreneurial ventures and business deals.
George Foreman Grill
The George Foreman Grill is one of the most significant contributors to Foreman’s net worth. In 1994, Foreman became a spokesperson for Salton, Inc.’s fat-reducing grill. By 2009, the grill had sold over 100 million units, making it a household name and a significant source of Foreman’s wealth.
Foreman received a $1 million profit in 1997 and a $138 million payment in 1999 for the right to use his name, with reports suggesting he made over $200 million from the endorsement deal.
Business Ventures
Apart from the George Foreman Grill, Foreman expanded his business portfolio into cleaning products, clothing lines, and personal care products, and became a spokesperson for iconic brands.
He is also an accomplished author, a TV personality, and a philanthropist, known for supporting at-risk youth through the George Foreman Youth and Community Center.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | George Edward Foreman |
| Birthdate | January 10, 1949 |
| Birthplace | Marshall, Texas, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.92 m) |
| Marriages | – Adrienne Calhoun (1971–1974)
– Cynthia Lewis (1977-1979) – Sharon Goodson (1981-1982) – Andrea Skeete (1982-1985) – Mary Joan Martelly (since 1985) |
| Children | 12 children: 5 sons (George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, George VI) and 7 daughters (Natalia, Leola, Freeda, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella, Courtney) |
| Professional Career | – Two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion (1973–74, 1994–95)
– Olympic Gold Medalist (1968) |
Wife and Children
George Foreman has been married five times and has a large family comprising both sons and daughters. His current and fifth wife is Mary Joan Martelly, whom he married in March 1985. Together, they have five children: George IV, George V, George VI, Leola, and Natalie. Additionally, the couple adopted two children: Isabella Brandie Lilja in 2009 and Courtney Isaac in 2012.
Foreman’s previous marriages include:
Adrienne Calhoun (1971-1974): They had several children together. Their marriage faced challenges, but it was significant in Foreman’s life as a family man.
Cynthia Lewis (1977-1979): Their marriage was relatively short-lived and did not produce any children.
Sharon Goodson (1981-1982): This marriage also did not result in any children.
Andrea Skeete (1982-1985): They had two children together, George Foreman III and Freeda. Freeda passed away in 2019.
Foreman has a total of 12 children: five sons and seven daughters. His sons, all named George Edward Foreman (George Jr., George III “Monk”, George IV “Big Wheel”, George V “Red”, and George VI “Little Joey”), have pursued various careers, with George III following in his father’s footsteps into boxing and entrepreneurship.
His daughters are Natalia, Leola, Freeda, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella, and Courtney. Natalia and Leola are from his marriage to Mary Joan Martelly. His daughters from separate relationships include Freeda, Michi, and Georgetta. He adopted Isabella and Courtney.
Age
Born on January 10, 1949, he is 75 years old.
Height
He is 6 ft 3 inches tall.
Biopic
Foreman’s biopic, “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World,” was released in theaters nationwide in 2024.
The film chronicles his personal life and the high and low points that shaped his boxing career.
Achievements
- Two-Time World Heavyweight Champion (1973–74, 1994–95): Foreman first won the heavyweight title by defeating Joe Frazier in 1973 and reclaimed it at age 45 by knocking out Michael Moorer in 1994, becoming the oldest world heavyweight champion.
- Olympic Gold Medalist (1968): Foreman won the gold medal in the heavyweight boxing competition at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
- Professional Boxing Record: Foreman retired with a professional boxing record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and 5 losses. His career included a sequence of 24 consecutive knockouts.
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2003): This honor recognized Foreman’s contributions to boxing.
FAQs
1. Who is George Foreman?
George Foreman is a retired American professional boxer, entrepreneur, and ordained minister. Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, he is a two-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist. Outside boxing, he is widely known for endorsing the George Foreman Grill, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide.
2. What are George Foreman’s major boxing achievements?
George Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Olympics and became the world heavyweight champion in 1973 by defeating Joe Frazier. After retiring in 1977, he made a comeback in 1987 and regained the heavyweight title in 1994 at age 45, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
3. How successful was George Foreman’s boxing career?
Foreman had an impressive professional boxing record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and only 5 losses over a career spanning nearly three decades. He is regarded as one of the greatest knockout punchers in boxing history and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
4. Why did George Foreman retire from boxing twice?
Foreman first retired in 1977 after losing to Jimmy Young and experiencing a spiritual awakening that led him to become a minister. He returned to boxing in 1987 due to financial struggles and retired again in 1997 after losing to Shannon Briggs at age 48.
5. What is the George Foreman Grill, and why is it famous?
The George Foreman Grill is a fat-reducing indoor grill introduced in 1994. Known for its slanted design that drains grease, it became a global success due to its health benefits and Foreman’s engaging promotion. It earned him over $200 million, surpassing his boxing earnings.
6. What inspired George Foreman to become a minister?
After his loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman had a profound spiritual experience where he believed he encountered death and God. This led him to dedicate his life to Christianity, becoming an ordained minister and opening the George Foreman Youth and Community Center.
7. How many children does George Foreman have, and why are his sons all named George?
Foreman has 12 children—five sons and seven daughters. All his sons are named George Edward Foreman to create unity among them. He believes this shared name symbolizes their collective success or struggles as a family.
8. How did financial struggles influence George Foreman’s career?
After losing most of his earnings from his initial boxing career, Foreman returned to the ring in 1987 at age 38 to support his family. His comeback culminated in regaining the heavyweight title in 1994, proving his resilience both financially and athletically.
9. What philanthropic efforts has George Foreman undertaken?
Foreman founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston, Texas, providing a safe space for children to engage in sports and education. His charitable work reflects his commitment to giving back to the community.
10. What other ventures has George Foreman pursued outside boxing?
Apart from endorsing the George Foreman Grill, he has authored several books, appeared on TV shows like The Masked Singer, and served as an entrepreneur promoting healthy living products. His ventures have solidified his legacy beyond sports as an influential public figure.
