George Foreman: A Champion Father with 12 Children and His Legacy of Love and Guidance
George Foreman was a legendary figure in the world of sports, having achieved Olympic gold, two-time heavyweight champion status, and even making a name as a grill entrepreneur. However, the title he cherished the most was that of a father. George, who passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76, was married five times throughout his life, and his relationships blessed him with five sons and seven daughters.
Foreman was known for giving all five of his sons the same name: George Edward Foreman. This decision, he explained, was meant to create a bond between them, ensuring they always shared something in common. As Foreman once stated on his website, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together. And if one goes down, we all go down together!” While this may have led to some confusion, each son earned a unique nickname to avoid mix-ups: George Jr., George III (“Monk”), George IV (“Big Wheel”), George V (“Red”), and George VI (“Little Joey”).
Alongside his sons, Foreman was also a father to five daughters: Natalia, Leola, Michi, Georgetta, and Freeda. Tragically, Freeda passed away in 2019 at the age of 42. George also adopted two daughters, Isabella in 2009 and Courtney in 2012, expanding his already sizable family. Despite their fame, most of Foreman’s children have kept a low profile. Georgetta has worked as a television producer, while Natalia pursued a singing career.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(589x333:591x335):format(webp)/george-foreman-032125-7-e18c260a430941cabf07d01cd31f9597.jpg)
Foreman’s love and dedication to his children were evident throughout his life. His daughter Georgetta shared that their father always made sure to spend quality time with each of them individually. “There was a Georgetta day, or George the second day,” she recalled, explaining how he would give them whatever they wanted, from food to activities, to show them how much he cared.
Before her death, Freeda followed in her father’s footsteps and attempted a career in professional boxing. She fought from 2000 to 2001 and retired with a 5-1 record. She also became a mother to two children and had three grandchildren.
In 2008, George Foreman published a book titled Fatherhood by George: Hard-Won Advice on Being a Dad. In this book, he shared his parenting experiences and advice, often referencing his Christian faith. He wanted to ensure that his children didn’t repeat the mistakes he had made during his early years of fatherhood. He acknowledged that each child was unique and required different approaches to parenting. “You can’t use the same remedies. You’ve got to treat them differently,” he advised.
George always emphasized that being a father was his greatest pride. He expressed his joy in seeing his children grow into strong, educated, and kind individuals. “They’re good parents, and that’s what I’m proud of,” he said, reflecting on his legacy.