Retired boxing champion George Foreman was married to his spouse, Mary Joan Martelly, for about 40 years.
The couple wed in 1985, marking Foreman’s fifth marriage however symbolizing a contemporary begin for the pair. Collectively, they constructed a blended household, welcoming at the very least 5 youngsters collectively: George IV, George V, George VI, Leola and Natalie. As well as, in addition they dad or mum a number of youngsters from Foreman’s earlier marriages.
Martelly revealed in a 2014 interview with the College of Houston Legislation Heart that she didn’t actually know who Foreman was earlier than assembly him. “I didn’t know something about George’s profession earlier than, I’ve by no means seen him field earlier than, I didn’t even know him as a boxer, however I helped him all by way of it,” she mentioned.
The general public obtained a uncommon take a look at their household life within the 2008 TV Land collection Household Foreman, which highlighted the heavyweight champ’s profession and position as a father. Over time, Martelly and Foreman mixed their efforts in quite a few philanthropic endeavors, particularly specializing in youngsters’s welfare and well being initiatives.
Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at age 76. His household introduced the information on Instagram, writing, “Our hearts are damaged. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by family members. A religious preacher, a loyal husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and nice grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering religion, humility, and function.” The put up additionally featured a photograph of Foreman surrounded by his spouse and kids.
So who’s George Foreman’s spouse? Right here’s all the pieces to learn about Mary Joan Martelly and her relationship with the boxer.
She is from the Caribbean
Born and raised on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Martelly had an youth marked by modest beginnings. She grew up within the close-knit neighborhood of Mon Repos, creating a powerful sense of willpower and an appreciation for the values of exhausting work and perseverance.
Throughout her youth, Martelly confirmed a eager curiosity in sports activities. In her interview with the College of Houston, she recounted fond reminiscences of her time in class.
“I cherished sports activities in class,” she shared. “College was actually enjoyable curiously, ‘trigger you grew up with the identical set of kids from kindergarten all the best way as much as highschool, so everybody knew everybody.”
She testified for Foreman throughout a custody dispute in the USA
Martelly got here to the U.S. on a six-month momentary visa when she accompanied Foreman to Houston to testify on behalf of the boxer throughout an ongoing custody dispute. “By the point my six months got here, he was in love. He was like, ‘You possibly can’t return,’ ” she advised the College of Houston in 2014.
“We had been going to the films … and he says, ‘I’ll be proper again,’ and he got here again with just a little ring, you can barely see the diamond, and he’s like, ‘Are you able to marry me?’ ” she recalled. “And I used to be like, ‘I didn’t know what to say,’ however I went, ‘Okay, sure.’ ”
They had been married for 40 years
Martelly’s leap of religion seemingly paid off, because the couple had been married for about 40 years since their March 1985 marriage ceremony. The couple had dated for a few 12 months earlier than tying the knot.
Their nuptials marked the start of a brand new chapter of their lives, mixing their households and kids from Foreman’s earlier marriages.
Foreman has been married 5 instances
Earlier than marrying Martelly, Foreman had been married 4 different instances. His first marriage to Adrienne Calhoun started in 1971 and led to divorce in 1974. Foreman then married magnificence queen Cynthia Lewis in 1977, and their union lasted till 1979.
He married Sharon Goodson in 1981, however the pair cut up after only one 12 months. Foreman’s fourth marriage was to Andrea Skeete in 1982, they usually remained collectively till their divorce in 1985.
Later that very same 12 months, Foreman wed Martelly, marking his fifth marriage.
They’d a blended household
Foreman and Martelly have fairly a big household, welcoming a number of youngsters collectively, together with, George IV, George V, George VI, Leola and Natalie.
Along with their youngsters collectively, Martelly is a stepmother to Foreman’s youngsters from earlier relationships — daughters Michi, Freeda (who died in 2019) and Georgetta, and sons George Jr. and George III. All of Foreman’s sons are named George Edward Foreman, retaining the household title alive and properly.
When speaking about elevating her youngsters, Martelly fondly advised the College of Houston that she wished to be a supply of help for her youngsters. “I needed to elevate my youngsters and I wished to be there for them, I wished to be there to select them up from college, and from A to Z,” she mentioned.
They lived in Texas
The couple lived in an property in Huffman, Texas. Bought within the early 2000s, their dream dwelling took almost three years to finish and is nestled on 45 acres of land.
The property is estimated at greater than $10 million and options a number of buildings, together with a primary home, guesthouse and devoted fitness center facility. The principle dwelling spans 45,000 sq. toes, mixing basic and trendy design components.
She has been concerned in quite a few philanthropic efforts
Martelly has been deeply concerned in philanthropic endeavors, notably specializing in AIDS consciousness in addition to selling schooling for youngsters. Alongside her husband, she has volunteered extensively for campaigns geared toward stopping pediatric AIDS.
Their efforts have taken them from Houston to St. Lucia, spreading very important details about AIDS in youngsters and advocating for prevention measures. In recognition of their important contributions, the couple was collectively honored in 2007 at an occasion referred to as A World of Mates Preventing AIDS.
Nevertheless, Martelly has all the time remained humble about her efforts, telling the College of Houston: “Often we’d do one thing and we wouldn’t inform anyone. My grandma all the time mentioned, ‘If you need the blessing, you then don’t let the entire world know.’ ”
