George Foreman

NAME George Edward Foreman

WHAT FAMOUS FOR George Foreman is famous for two distinct and highly successful careers: as a two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and as a highly successful entrepreneur, most notably for the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine (commonly known as the George Foreman Grill). He is also an ordained minister.

BIRTH George Edward Foreman was born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas. He was the fifth of seven children in his family.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Foreman's family background was marked by instability and economic hardship. He was born to Nancy Ree Nelson, with his biological father being Leroy Moorehead, though he did not discover this until years later. The man he called father was J.D. Foreman, a railroad construction worker who was rarely present. His mother Nancy worked as a cook to support the large family.

CHILDHOOD Foreman's childhood unfolded in Houston's Fifth Ward, one of America's most challenging neighborhoods, characterized by what he described as "a volatile mix of poverty and violence". He became one of the roughest youths in the area, forming partnerships with friends to create what he called "a pack of street wolves and muggers". His troubled adolescence included regular encounters with law enforcement and a preference for cheap wine over education. (1)

EDUCATION Foreman's formal education was brief and troubled. He proved to be an indifferent student and dropped out of E.O. Smith Junior High School at age 14. Later, he left school entirely in the 10th grade. However, his educational trajectory changed dramatically when he joined the Job Corps at age 16, traveling to Oregon and California where he learned trades such as carpentry and forestry while earning his high school equivalency diploma.

CAREER RECORD Just 20 months after his first boxing match, Foreman won a gold medal in the boxing/heavyweight division at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

His professional debut occurred on June 23, 1969, against Don Waldhelm, whom he defeated via third-round knockout.

Foreman's professional boxing record stood at an impressive 76 wins and 5 losses, with 68 victories coming by knockout. His amateur record was equally dominant, losing only 2 out of 24 fights. He competed professionally between 1967 and 1997, spanning an remarkable 30-year career. 

He retired in 1997 after a loss to Shannon Briggs. Outside boxing, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur, earning millions through the George Foreman Grill, selling over 100 million units, and promoting brands like Meineke. 

He also served as an HBO boxing analyst for 12 years and authored books, including his autobiography, By George.

APPEARANCE Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.9 meters) and weighing around 218 pounds (98.9 kg) in his prime, Foreman was an imposing figure with a powerful, muscular physique that made him one of boxing’s most feared punchers  His intimidating stare became a signature element of his ring persona, copied from his idol Sonny Liston. He was known for his broad shoulders, strong build, and often a friendly, beaming smile in his later years. 

As Foreman aged, he gained weight, but maintained a robust appearance. He typically has a clean-shaven head or very closely cropped hair.

Foreman in 2009 by el grito - originally posted to Flickr 

FASHION In his boxing days, Foreman's fashion was typical of athletes, primarily sportswear. In his second career and as an entrepreneur, he often adopted a more relaxed, approachable style, frequently seen in casual shirts, polo shirts, and comfortable attire, reflecting his "Big George" persona. 

CHARACTER Foreman's personality underwent a dramatic transformation following a spiritual awakening in 1977. Initially known for his intimidating and surly demeanor, he evolved into someone who "smiled freely, hugged openly, and spoke with joy about grace and forgiveness". His later years were characterized by humility, warmth, and an approachable public persona that stood in stark contrast to his earlier fearsome reputation. (2)

SPEAKING VOICE George Foreman had a distinctive, deep, resonant voice,  often described as warm, friendly, and somewhat gravelly, reflecting his Texas roots. His delivery was often slow and deliberate, giving his words a thoughtful and impactful quality, whether he's preaching or promoting a product.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Foreman developed a notably humble sense of humor, particularly regarding his weight fluctuations between boxing matches. His appearances on Late Night with David Letterman showcased this self-deprecating wit. When asked about his Thanksgiving plans, he would simply respond with a grin: "Eat". This humor helped endear him to the American public during his later career. (3)

RELATIONSHIPS Foreman's personal relationships were complex, marked by five marriages throughout his life. 

He met his first wife Adrienne Calhoun on a blind date in 1970 and they married on December 23, 1971. The marriage was troubled by his infidelity and they divorced in February 1974.

He subsequently married Cynthia Lewis (1977-1979), Sharon Goodson (1981-1982), and Andrea Skeete (1982-1985). His final and longest marriage was to Mary Joan Martelly, whom he wed in 1985 and remained married to until his death. Together, they had five biological children and adopted two more. 

Foreman fathered a total of twelve children: five sons all named George and seven daughters, including  called Georgetta. When Foreman was asked why he named all five of his sons "George" he replied: "I called them all George because I was worried that when I was older I might suffer from memory loss. I would have called my five girls George, too, but my wife said she thought that was overkill."

His relationship with his former rival, Muhammad Ali, also evolved from intense competition to a deep and mutual respect, becoming a symbol of reconciliation.

Foreman and Ali in their October 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match 

MONEY AND FAME Foreman's financial success extended far beyond his boxing earnings. His endorsement of the George Foreman Grill became one of the most lucrative athlete endorsements in history, earning him over $200 million. At the peak of the grill's popularity, he earned up to $8 million per month from the endorsement. In 1999, he sold his profit-sharing rights back to Salton for $137.5 million. Remarkably, he admitted that the grill made him more money than his entire boxing career and that people recognized him more for the grill than for boxing.

His fame transitioned from a fearsome boxer to a beloved household name and pitchman, demonstrating a unique ability to connect with the public.

FOOD AND DRINK The George Foreman Grill was developed by InventHelp and eventually marketed by Salton, Inc. According to the wrestler Hulk Hogan, his agent or manager presented him with two potential endorsement deals: one for a lean, fat-reducing grill, and another for a meatball maker. Hogan  didn’t respond in time to choose the grill, so George Foreman was approached instead. He ended up endorsing a product called the "Hulkamania Meatball Maker", which was not successful and is now largely forgotten.

Given his association with the George Foreman Grill, food and healthy eating became a central theme in his public image. The grill itself promotes "lean, mean, fat-reducing" cooking, reflecting a focus on healthier preparation methods. 

A George Foreman Grill by Popebrak Wikipedia

While he enjoyed rich foods in his younger days, especially cheeseburgers, his later life and business ventures emphasized a more balanced approach to diet.

During training periods, Foreman maintained a strict low-fat diet consisting of broiled chicken, steamed vegetables, rice, pasta, egg whites, and baked fish. He avoided sugar and limited bread consumption. His preferred beverages were Evian water for daily consumption and Perrier for celebrations. Every two weeks during intense training, he would indulge in a cheeseburger as his primary dietary reward. (4)

MUSIC AND ARTS Foreman enjoyed all types of music, with a particular appreciation for Michael Jackson. His favorite films included epic productions such as Ben-Hur, which he watched annually, Gone With The Wind, and The Joe Louis Story. For television, he preferred classic comedies, particularly The Beverly Hillbillies and The Amos & Andy Show. (5)

LITERATURE George Foreman  authored several books, including:

By George: The Autobiography of George Foreman (1995)

George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You Down (2002)

George Foreman's Knock-Out-the-Fat Barbecue Book (1996)

George Foreman's Big Book of Grilling, Barbecue, and Rotisserie (2000)

Foreman identified The Bible as the best book he had ever read. This choice reflected his profound spiritual transformation and his commitment to Christian ministry that defined his post-boxing life.

NATURE Foreman enjoyed gardening, teaching his grandchildren to care for the land and appreciate its lessons. He valued the outdoors, often sharing moments like watching sunrises with his children, emphasizing renewal and second chances with the phrase, “Every day is a brand-new sunrise.” (6)

PETS He named a shelter-adopted cat “George,” indicating an affection for animals.

BOXING CAREER George Foreman began punching things professionally in 1969, starting with a gentleman named Donald Walheim, who obligingly succumbed in three rounds in New York City. It was the sort of debut that said, quite emphatically, “Hello, I’m George Foreman, and I may be about to punch my way through your entire planet.” And indeed, he more or less did.

That year, Foreman fought 13 times—more than most people argue with their in-laws—and knocked out 11 of them, often with what looked like a casual flick of the wrist. In 1970, he repeated the trick with another 12 victories, 11 by knockout, because apparently variety was not his thing. By 1971, his record stood at 32 wins, 29 knockouts, and precisely zero people volunteering to spar with him.

He thumped his way through reputable, world-ranked boxers like Gregorio Peralta and George Chuvalo, showcasing what might best be described as “ungodly power,” the kind you’d expect from a man who could knock a refrigerator out of alignment by glaring at it.

Then came January 22, 1973, a date etched into boxing lore—and quite possibly into Joe Frazier’s ribcage—when Foreman, a 3-to-1 underdog, faced the then-undefeated Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica. Foreman knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds, as if he were resetting him like a malfunctioning toaster. The referee eventually stepped in, perhaps out of sympathy, or perhaps to preserve Jamaica’s power grid.

At just 24, Foreman was now the heavyweight champion of the world—the third-youngest ever at the time. And unlike most new twenty-somethings in high-pressure jobs, he didn’t immediately collapse in a heap or go off to backpack through Thailand. Instead, he defended his title with destructive aplomb, clobbering the likes of Ken Norton and José Roman, who presumably now flinch at the sound of loud doorbells.

Then, in 1974, came the bout that would define him in a different way: the Rumble in the Jungle, facing the peerless Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire. It was hot. It was humid. There were actual witches involved, or so local lore claimed. And for the first time in his professional career, Foreman was outfoxed. Ali let him tire himself out, then knocked him out in the eighth round, proving that rope-a-dope is not, in fact, a reggae dance.

Foreman was stunned—not just physically, but existentially. He tried to claw his way back to the top with thunderous matches like the bloodbath against Ron Lyle. But after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977 and what he later described as a near-death spiritual epiphany in the locker room, Foreman retired from boxing.

He then spent ten years preaching, selling Bibles, and defying most people's expectations of what a heavyweight champion might do in his downtime.

In 1987, at the age of 38, Foreman returned to boxing. By now, he looked less like a coiled spring and more like someone who should be reclining in a La-Z-Boy with a sandwich. Critics scoffed. People pointed. But Foreman? He just kept knocking people out again, one by one, until everyone politely stopped laughing.

Then came 1994, and his second shot at the title, this time against Michael Moorer, a man 19 years his junior and the reigning heavyweight champion. Foreman, outboxed for nine rounds and looking every bit the middle-aged preacher moonlighting as a prizefighter, delivered a surprise 10th-round knockout so perfectly placed it could have been delivered by UPS.

At 45, Foreman became the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight crown—and the only one who probably celebrated by handing out inspirational pamphlets.

Foreman finally retired for good in 1997 at the age of 48, with a record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and only five losses. His knockout rate—nearly 90%—remains the kind of number statisticians quietly whisper about in awe. But perhaps even more astonishing than his fists was his transformation: from glowering, glistening destroyer to grinning, affable pitchman for one of the most improbably successful kitchen appliances in history.

The George Foreman Grill (which was nearly the Hulk Hogan Grill, had fate and meatballs intervened differently) made him even richer and arguably more famous than his fists ever did.

In the end, Foreman’s life reads like a fable: a tale of brute strength, surprising grace, and the enduring appeal of grilled chicken.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS  Beyond boxing, Foreman's primary "hobby" became his ministry and community work. He was dedicated to his youth center in Houston - Foreman said that his primary motive for his boxing comeback was to raise money to fund the youth center. 

Bass fishing served as Foreman's primary recreational activity. Additionally, he maintained skills as a cowboy, specifically breaking horses that had never been ridden before, which he described as "not an easy thing to do". 

His favorite sport to watch was NBA basketball, and he particularly enjoyed UCLA's basketball success during the Lew Alcindor era. (5)

SCIENCE AND MATHS His mother’s exceptional spelling and math skills influenced Foreman's appreciation for intellectual ability. His boxing strategy, particularly in his comeback, relied on calculated pacing and power, showing an intuitive grasp of physical dynamics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Foreman's philosophical and theological journey represents perhaps the most dramatic aspect of his personal transformation. Following his defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, he experienced what he described as an apocalyptic encounter with death and God in his dressing room. This experience led him to retire from boxing, sell his homes and ranch, and dedicate himself to Christian ministry. 

Foreman became an ordained minister in 1980 and founded The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston, which has operated continuously since then. His approach to ministry emphasized humility and accessibility, never asking for large donations and requesting only enough support to "keep the doors open for anyone seeking the truth in God's Word". (6)

POLITICS While Foreman generally avoided political commentary, his patriotic gesture at the 1968 Olympics demonstrated his national pride. After winning the heavyweight gold medal, he waved a small American flag, which stood in sharp contrast to the Black Power salutes by American sprinters earlier in the games. This action was interpreted by some as admirably patriotic and by others as opportunistic.

SCANDAL His early life included petty crimes like mugging, but he faced no major legal scandals after turning to boxing.

Foreman's personal life included some controversies, primarily related to his marital infidelities during his first marriage to Adrienne Calhoun. His second wife, Cynthia Lewis, accused him of physical and emotional abuse, claiming she was restricted from watching television or wearing certain clothing. However, these issues appeared to resolve following his conversion in 1977.

MILITARY RECORD Foreman registered for the draft during the Vietnam War era but drew a high lottery number, avoiding service. He chose a civilian career through the Job Corps, which led to his boxing path.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Foreman's physical condition fluctuated dramatically throughout his life. During his boxing career, he maintained exceptional fitness and conditioning. However, during his 10-year retirement from boxing for ministry, his weight ballooned to 300 pounds. His remarkable return to championship-level fitness in his forties demonstrated extraordinary dedication and physical resilience. He remained active and healthy well into his seventies until his death in 2025.

HOMES Foreman maintained his primary residence in Houston, Texas, throughout his life. Following his  conversion in 1977, he sold two homes and his ranch to support his ministry work. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he founded and preached at for over 40 years, remains located at 2501 Lone Oak Road in Houston.

TRAVEL Foreman traveled extensively for boxing, competing in places like Kingston, Jamaica (1973 vs. Frazier), Tokyo (1973 vs. Roman), Caracas, Venezuela (1974 vs. Norton), and Kinshasa, Zaire (1974 vs. Ali). His Olympic win took him to Mexico City in 1968.

DEATH George Foreman died peacefully on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. He passed away in a hospital in Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones. 

A public memorial service to honor Foreman's life and legacy was held at the Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave, Houston, Texas. The service took place on Monday, April 14, 2025, beginning at 10:45 a.m. Due to limited seating and security measures, attendance required a confirmed ticket, with certain portions of the service designated as private and by invitation only.

The memorial celebrated Foreman’s legendary boxing career, his faith, love for family, horses, cheeseburgers, and his commitment to helping others. Tributes were delivered by family, friends, and notable figures, including his son George Foreman IV and former champion Michael Moorer. Foreman himself addressed the audience posthumously through pre-recorded audio messages, emphasizing his philosophy of doing one’s best each day.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA  Foreman starred in his own ABC sitcom called George in which he played a retired boxer working with troubled kids. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled after nine episodes due to poor reviews and ratings.

He was a frequent and beloved guest on Late Night with David Letterman during the 1980s, where his charm and humor won over audiences.

His life story was adapted into the biographical film Big George Foreman released in 2023. He was played by Khris Davis

Additionally, he appeared in numerous commercials for the George Foreman Grill, which became some of the most recognizable product endorsements in television history.

ACHIEVEMENTS Olympic Gold Medalist: 1968 Mexico City Olympics (Heavyweight Boxing).

Two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion:

WBA and IBF Champion (1994-1999) – becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history at 45.

International Boxing Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2003.

Entrepreneurial Success: Immense success with the George Foreman Grill, selling over 100 million units worldwide.

Ordained Minister: Founded and pastored the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston.

Author: Published several successful books.

Philanthropist: Dedicated to his youth center and various charitable causes.

Sources (1) ESPN (2) One Church (3) Cracked (4) Los Angeles Times (5) Mr Biofile (6) georgeforeman.com