George Foreman Family Tree: The Story Behind Boxing's Preacher-Grill Champion

George Edward Foreman (1949–2025), born 10 January 1949 in Marshall, Texas, USA, and died 21 March 2025 in Houston, Texas, was an American former boxer and businessman — 2× World Heavyweight Champion (1973 & 1994 at 45 — oldest ever); 76-5 (68 KO); 1968 Olympic gold; famously lost to Ali in "Rumble in the Jungle" 1974; ordained Christian minister from 1977; George Foreman Grill sold 100M+ (earned him $200M+).

The Family's Roots: A Texas Family

The Foreman family is from Marshall, Texas; George was raised in Houston's Fifth Ward.

His Parents

Father: J.D. Foreman; later step-father Leroy Moorehead (his true genetic father) — railroad worker.

Mother: Nancy Foreman — American.

His Wives

Adrienne Calhoun (m. 1971, div. 1974); Cynthia Lewis (m. 1977, div. 1979); Sharon Goodson (m. 1981, div. 1982); Andrea Skeete (m. 1982, div. 1985); Mary Joan Martelly (m. 1985 until his death 2025).

His Children (12 total)

5 sons all named George Edward Foreman (George Jr., George III, IV, V, VI) — Foreman named them all George so "if they ever have any problems, they can all fight together".

Daughters: Michi Foreman; Freeda Foreman (1976–2019, boxer; died by suicide at 42); Georgetta; Natalie; Leola; Isabella; Courtney.

The Foreman Family Tree at a Glance

Nominal Father: J.D. Foreman.

Genetic Father: Leroy Moorehead — railroad worker.

Mother: Nancy Foreman.

Wives: 5 (Adrienne, Cynthia, Sharon, Andrea, Mary Joan).

Children: 5 sons named George (Jr. through VI); daughters: Michi; Freeda (1976–2019, suicide); Georgetta; Natalie; Leola; Isabella; Courtney — 12 total.

George Foreman:

  • Born 10 January 1949, Marshall, Texas
  • 1968 Olympic gold: Mexico City (heavyweight)
  • Turned pro 1969
  • 1st World Heavyweight Title: 22 January 1973 (KO Joe Frazier in R2)
  • "Rumble in the Jungle": 30 October 1974, Zaire — lost KO R8 to Ali
  • Religious conversion 1977; retired
  • Comeback 1987 at 38
  • 1994 Heavyweight Title: 5 November 1994 (KO Michael Moorer) — oldest world heavyweight champion ever at 45
  • Career: 76-5 (68 KO)
  • Retired 1997
  • George Foreman Grill: launched 1994; sold 100M+ units; earned Foreman $200M+
  • Died: 21 March 2025, Houston at 76

What the Foreman Family Story Teaches Us

A railroad-worker genetic father. A Houston Fifth-Ward childhood. Five wives and 12 children — including 5 sons all named George. A career that combined 2 heavyweight titles decades apart, becoming an ordained minister, and building a $200M grill business.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Foreman story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Olympic gold, Christian ministry, and 100M kitchen grills.

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