George Foreman, whose colossal career in the ring saw the legendary boxer take home two heavyweight championships, has died at the age of 76.
HIs family announced his death on Foreman’s Instagram account. “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,” read the caption, which was posted alongside a photo of the boxing champion with his family. “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.”
The statement also highlighted Foreman’s achievements as a “humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world,” writing how the icon was 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.” No cause of death was given.
Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, triumphing over Jonas Chepulis of the Soviet Union. Turning professional the following year, Foreman won the world heavyweight title in 1973 with a victorious knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier in Jamaica. During the monumental fight, announcer Howard Cosell made the famous call: “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
He would go on to fight Muhammad Ali in 1974 during the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire. In one of the most astounding bouts in boxing history, Ali used his “rope-a-dope” strategy to frustrate and exhaust Foreman throughout the fight — knocking him out in the eighth round.
In 1977, Foreman walked away from the squared circle and spent much of the next decade devoted to his work as an ordained minister in Houston and opened a youth center.
He would return to boxing in 1987 at the age of 38, garnering a string of victories before losing to Evander Holyfield in a 1991 title fight. Undeterred by the defeat and public skepticism, Foreman pushed on until he found himself in the ring with the undefeated Michael Moorer in 1994 and reclaimed the world title with a resounding knockout punch during the 10th round in Las Vegas. Foreman, who was 45 at the time, became the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
In the stunning moment, broadcaster Jim Lampley called the fight: “It Happened!”
When discussing his comeback with Boxing News in 2023, Foreman said that it was his way of “saying sorry for being so unkind the first time round” and recalled experiencing the kindness from strangers during his 10 years serving as a minister. “Everyone was so kind to me and I used to think, ‘I wish I could be champion again because I should have been nicer to people,’” he explained. “That was the best time of my whole boxing career, when I came back because I gave back.”
He added, “When I was in Reno, Nevada I couldn’t sign autographs or shake people’s hand because I had sprained my hand, so I just sat by a post and let anyone come over and talk, or take a picture. They did. I was there for three hours, and it was the nicest time of my life as a boxer. Nothing compared to that moment — not even beating Frazier, or being with Ali in Zaire.”
Outside boxing, he channeled his worldwide fame into a booming business as an entrepreneur known for his George Foreman Grill, which has sold more than 100 million units worldwide. As a pitchman for the grills, Foreman grew his fame and fortune and became known as both a beloved household name and fearless fighter.
When speaking to Esquire in 2006, Foreman shared some wisdom he had acquired over his storied career. “The seventies are the best years. That’s when you’re wise,” he said. “My mother used to tell me, ‘You live and learn. Then you die and forget it all.’”