Heavyweight champion George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76, his family announced Friday.
Foreman died surrounded by his loved ones, his family said.
“Our hearts are broken,” the family wrote in an Instagram post. “In profound sadness, we announce the death of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., surrounded by our loved ones who left peace on March 21, 2025.”
“A venerable preacher, devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather, he lived a life characterized by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” the Post continued.
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George Foreman was held at the premiere of “Big George Foreman” held at Legalla Live in Los Angeles, California on April 26, 2023. (Mark von Holden/Variety via Getty Images)
“A humanitarian, Olympian and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected. He was the protector of his power, discipline, belief, and his legacy, fighting his good name exhausted and for his family.
Kinshasa, Zaire-1974: (LR) George Foreman (left) and Muhammad Ali Boxing boxed at Zaire Stade du 20 Mai on October 30, 1974 at the Jungle in the Jungle Rumble. (Ken Regan/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
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His family said, “We appreciate the pouring of love and prayer and respect the extraordinary lives of those who are blessed to call ourselves, so please kindly ask for privacy.”
George Foreman Photo Call – 20th October 2006 at Trafalgar Square, London, England. (David Lodge/FilmMagic)
Foreman became an Olympic gold medalist in 1968 when he defeated the Soviet Union's Jonas Te Plis at the Mexico City Olympics that year. After his victory, he waving the American flag around his boxing ring, bowing to the crowd.
Foreman says his Olympic gold is the achievement he is most proud of, and even more than his other professional boxing titles.
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However, Foreman was most notably known for his expensive match between fellow legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Foreman officially turned professional in 1969, winning all 13 fights he took part in, and 11 wins with knockouts.
George Foreman will be taking part in the Hublot X WBC's “Night of Champions” gala at the Encore Hotel held in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 3, 2019. (Hublot's Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Four years later, Foreman won the heavyweight title in 1973 with a stunning second round knockout from previously undefeated Fraser. He defended the title twice, but lost his first professional match against Ali, known as “Rumble in the Jungle” in the iconic 1974 match. The match was famously fought in Kinshasa, Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Foreman then retired after losing to Jimmy Young in 1977, but returned to boxing after a self-proclaimed religious awakening ten years later. By 1994, at age 45, Foreman had won the Unified WBA, IBF and Lineal Heavyweight Championship titles.
After a successful stint at the age of 46, he became the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history. Foreman is also the leading honors world heavyweight boxing championship and the oldest boxer to win the second oldest boxing championship in any weight class.
George Foreman will speak on stage during the Big George Foreman screening at Legal Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia on April 12, 2023. (Parasgriffin/Getty Images for Sony Photo Release)
He then retired in 1997 at the age of 48, with 68 appearing in knockouts with a final record of 76 wins, earning just five losses.
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During his post-boxing career, Foreman was Salton, Inc., a home appliance company known now as Russell Hobbes. He licensed his likeness to become a successful entrepreneur when he launched George Foreman Grill.
Bradford Betz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
