Two-time heavyweight champion and renowned entrepreneur George Foreman has passed away tonight at the age of 76.
In an announcement posted to social media, Foreman’s family said: “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.
A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name – for his family.”
Affectionately known as “Big George” by family, friends, and fans, George Foreman was a towering figure in boxing history. He first made his mark by winning the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, before turning professional and securing his first world heavyweight championship in 1973 with a dominant knockout victory over Joe Frazier in Jamaica. That fight, forever etched in boxing lore, was punctuated by Howard Cosell’s legendary call: “Down goes Frazier!”
Undefeated at the time, Foreman successfully defended his title twice before suffering his first professional loss in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, where Muhammad Ali‘s tactical brilliance led to an eighth-round knockout. The fight remains one of the greatest and most-watched bouts in boxing history.
“I hit him hard in the third round, and he looked at me as if to say, ‘I’m not gonna take it!‘ “He hit me with a quick one-two, knocked me down to the canvas and my whole life changed. I was devastated. Little did I know I would make the best friend I ever had in my life.”
Foreman continued his career, including a rematch victory over Frazier in 1976, but after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, he unexpectedly retired.
A decade later, in 1987, at the age of 38, Foreman launched an improbable comeback. After rattling off 12 straight victories, he challenged Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight title in 1991 but fell short by unanimous decision.
Undeterred, Foreman made history in 1994. At 45 years old, he stunned the boxing world by knocking out Michael Moorer to to clinch the unified WBA and IBF heavyweight championships, making him the oldest fighter to ever win a world heavyweight title. He ultimately vacated the belts at 46 years, 169 days old before retiring for good in 1997 with an astonishing 76-5 record, including 68 knockouts.
A two-time world champion and one of the sport’s most beloved figures, Foreman was inducted into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. Widely regarded as one of the top 25 greatest boxers of all time, his legacy extends far beyond the ring, solidifying his place in sports history.
Foreman also became a global icon beyond boxing as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which debuted in 1994 and quickly became a household staple. The grill’s immense popularity led to over 100 million units sold within its first 25 years, cementing Foreman’s status as a successful entrepreneur and pop culture figure.
Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan, his 12 children—five sons and seven daughters—as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
