George Edward Foreman (January 10, 1949 – March 21, 2025) was an American professional boxer, entrepreneur, minister, and author. In boxing, he competed between 1967 and 1997 and was nicknamed "Big George". He was a two-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist. As an entrepreneur, he was known for the George Foreman Grill. Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

Family

• Parents: Leroy Moorehead and Nancy Lee Nelson; raised by J.D. Foreman and Nancy Lee Nelson
• Spouses: (5) Adrienne Calhoun (1971-1974), Cynthia Lewis (1977-c. 1979), Sharon Goodson (1981-1982), Andrea Skeete (1982-1985), and Mary Joan Martelly (1985-present)
• Children: (12) George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, George VI, Michi, Natalia, Leola, Georgetta, Freeda, Isabella, and Courtney

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References

1. Death announced on Instagram (March 21, 2025). < biggeorgeforeman > "Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose."
2. "George Foreman." Wikipedia, revision of 21 March 2025.< link >
3. "George Foreman, Boxing Champion and Grilling Magnate, Dies at 76." (March 21, 2025) < nytimes.com > He claimed a world title in his 20s and, improbably, again in his 40s. He then made millions selling the George Foreman Grill. ... In addition to his brother, Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, whom he married in 1985. He is also survived by six daughters, Natalie, Leola, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella and Courtney Foreman; five sons; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Another daughter, Freeda Foreman, died in 2019. All of Foreman’s sons were named George: George Jr., George III, George IV, George V and George VI.
4. < Official website biography >;< imdb >;< biography.com >
5. "George Foreman: A Life in Pictures." 16 photos (Mar 21, 2025) < eonline.com >
6. "George Foreman's Kids: All About the Boxing Legend's Sons and Daughters (and Why He Named All 5 of His Sons George)" (March 22, 2025). < people.com > George Foreman welcomed at least 10 children and named all five of his sons George
7. "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6S8-ZW7 : Tue Feb 25 16:54:37 UTC 2025), Entry for George Edward Foreman and J D Foreman, 10 Jan 1949.
8. "United States, Census, 1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XGR-KZGX : Thu Oct 05 06:16:45 UTC 2023), Entry for Robert E Foreman and Fillie Foreman, 19 April 1950.
9. George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali - Oct. 30, 1974 - Entire fight - Rounds 1 - 8 & Interview < youtube >
10. "Foreman Foremost a Father." (June 14, 1996) LA Times via < Archive.Org > At 25 (in 1974) George Foreman found out that his father wasn’t his father. J.D. Foreman had drunk and disappeared so much, George’s mother took up briefly with an Arkansas gentleman who had been a decorated World War II veteran. George met his biological father for the first time at a prearranged meeting inside a church, and liked him immediately. Moorehead died a few years later. At the funeral, Moorehead’s service pistol and a flag were presented to the son he hardly knew, George Foreman. George would never forget looking into an open casket and thinking, “Man, that is my father . . . or could have been.”
11. "George Foreman, Horatio Alger Award Recipient. Class of 1984." < horatioalger.org > Minister/Professional Boxer. < youtube >
12. HBO’s George Foreman and Michael Moorer fought for the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles on November 5, 1994, with Foreman winning by knockout in the 10th round. Jim Lampley looks back on the events surrounding George Foreman’s incredible comeback to win the World’s Heavyweight Championship almost 20 years to the day that he lost it to Muhammad Ali. < youtube >
13. George Foreman author page on < Amazon.com > includes:
    1. George Foreman and Joel Engel (2000). By George: The Autobiography of George Foreman. ISBN 978-0743201124.
    2. George Foreman (2003). George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780743224994.
    3. Let George Do It! Paperback – Picture Book (January 28, 2017) < amazon.com > Foreman named all five of his sons George. In 2005, he collaborated with the author Fran Manushkin on a children’s book called “Let George Do It!” about a household full of Georges, like his own. It reads: “‘Today is Big George’s birthday,’ Mom tells the assembled boys. ‘Can I count on all of you to help with the party?’ “‘You bet,’ said George, George, George and George. ‘Urgle,’ said Baby George.”
14. Pang, Kevin (April 16, 2020). "The George Foreman Grill Revolutionized the Way Men Cook". < menshealth.com >. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
15. "United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM29-QZ5Q : Wed Nov 27 23:33:35 UTC 2024), Entry for Gloria Ann Foreman Patrick and J D Foreman, 17 December 2022.
16. Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Mar 22 2025, 3:19:48 UTC