Legendary boxer George Foreman died at age 76 on March 21, his household introduced in a publish to his Instagram. In response to the publish, the previous world heavyweight champion handed away “peacefully” whereas “surrounded by family members.” On the time of writing, no further data is accessible concerning Foreman’s particular reason behind demise.

“Our hearts are damaged,” the assertion from Foreman’s household reads. The heartfelt Instagram caption goes on to recollect him a “religious preacher, a faithful husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and nice grandfather” who “lived a life marked by unwavering religion, humility, and objective.” Foreman is survived by Mary Joan Martelly, his spouse of 40 years, and 11 of his 12 kids. These embody his 5 sons, all of whom the athlete named after himself. Foreman is preceded in demise by his daughter Freeda Foreman, whom he shared with ex-wife Andrea Skeete. Freeda handed away in 2019 on the age of 42.

Early in his profession, George Foreman made an instantaneous influence on the boxing world when he took residence a gold medal on the 1968 Summer time Olympics in Mexico, defeating Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union by TKO within the second spherical of the match ultimate. Then, in 1973, Foreman broke “Smokin'” Joe Frazier’s undefeated streak with a decisive second-round knockout to say the world heavyweight championship. Foreman retired from boxing in 1977, although made a comeback a decade later. He went on to defeat the a lot youthful Michael Moorer to win his second world heavyweight title at age 45. Foreman retired for a second time in 1997 at age 48.

For all his accomplishments within the ring, George Foreman additionally made fairly the title for himself exterior of it. Many are positive to acknowledge him because the face of the George Foreman Grill, which was launched in 1994 and his since offered over 100 million items worldwide. Not solely that, however Foreman even branched out into scripted tv. Within the Nineteen Seventies, he made visitor appearances on each the sci-fi traditional “The Six Million Greenback Man” and the beloved sitcom “Sanford and Son.” In 1992, he did the identical in an episode of “Dwelling Enchancment.” Then, in 2003, he lent his voice to the grownup animated sequence “King of the Hill,” guest-starring in a memorable episode alongside daughter Freeda.

Foreman even briefly received the possibility to star in his very personal sitcom. 1993 noticed the premiere of the ABC sitcom “George,” which fittingly starred the boxing legend as a retired fighter who finds a brand new calling in serving to troubled children. The present was pretty short-lived, and ended its run in early 1994. Even so, Foreman continued to keep up a presence on the planet of popular culture by the 2020s, showing on actuality reveals like “Quick N’ Loud” and “The Masked Singer.” He additionally served as an govt producer on the 2023 movie “Huge George Foreman,” a biopic.

The boxer additionally confronted controversy, and in 2022, was accused of sexual abuse relationship again to the 70s.