The iconic heavyweight boxing champion’s family took to social media to announce his death, revealing that Foreman died peacefully, surrounded by those closest to him.
Boxing legend George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76. The former heavyweight champion died peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on his official 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,” the family wrote.
“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 post continued.
Though best known for his legendary boxing career, Foreman’s journey began with a different dream. Inspired by football star Jim Brown, he initially wanted to play football.
But after joining the Job Corps, he decided to try boxing to prove he wasn’t afraid. “Well, 25 fights and 1 year later, I was an Olympic Gold Medalist,” he shared.
Beyond the ring, Foreman followed a spiritual calling. In 1980, he became an ordained minister with The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and spent years traveling as an evangelist. He shared more about his spiritual journey in his memoir, “God In My Corner.”
Foreman also became a savvy businessman. While he didn’t invent the George Foreman Grill, he helped market the product under his name and turned it into a household staple. The George Foreman brand expanded into a successful line of home appliances.
Foreman, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, leaves behind a legacy not only in the ring but also as a father and family man. He had 10 children — five sons and five daughters — and also adopted two daughters, Isabella Brandie Lilja and Courtney Isaac.
He famously named all of his sons George Edward Foreman, a decision rooted in unity. “I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common,” he once said. “I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together. And if one goes down, we all go down together!'”
In the wake of Foreman’s passing, fellow boxing great Mike Tyson paid tribute to him on X, sharing in part, “Condolences to George Foreman’s family.”
Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/Xs5QjMukqr
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025
Sadly, Tyson has been no stranger to lose over the years. In May 2009, the world was stunned by a tragic incident that would forever change the life of the boxing legend. In the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, the scene of this heart-wrenching incident, Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, met a fate that no one could have foreseen.
What began as a simple childhood game would tragically culminate in a devastating accident that shook the family to its core. Young Exodus was playing innocently when a treadmill cord became entangled around her neck. The discovery of this horrifying situation was made by her 7-year-old brother, a moment that would haunt their family forever.
He refrained from seeking blame or dwelling on the details of the accident.
Their mother, Sol Xochitl, acted with swift courage, untangling Exodus from the cord, dialing 911, and desperately performing CPR in a frantic bid to save her precious child’s life.
At that moment, Tyson was away in Las Vegas. He was living the life of a sports icon, unaware of the impending tragedy that would soon cast a shadow over his world.
Upon receiving the devastating news, he rushed back to Phoenix, his heart heavy with grief and disbelief. However, despite the family’s best efforts and the outpouring of love and prayers from around the world, Exodus could not be saved.
The loss was immeasurable, and the pain was beyond words. Tyson’s grief was palpable in a 2009 statement released by his family.
They expressed their gratitude for the support from around the world, acknowledging the immense loss of their beloved Exodus. In the midst of their pain, they requested privacy to grieve and heal. The statement read:
“We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and prayers from all over the world. There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus.”
In the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy, Tyson displayed a side of himself that the world had rarely seen. He refrained from seeking blame or dwelling on the details of the accident. Instead, he took responsibility for ensuring that his daughter was properly cared for and laid to rest.
