Who Was Adrienne Calhoun? Inside the Life of George Foreman’s First Wife

When people talk about boxing legend George Foreman, they often think of his powerful punches, Olympic gold, or the famous George Foreman Grill. But long before all the fame and fortune, there was someone special in his life — Adrienne Calhoun, his first wife.

Adrienne’s story is simple, real, and deeply touching. She was with George at the very beginning, when he was still building his career. Even though their marriage didn’t last long, she played an important role in his early journey.

In this article, we’ll take a close look at Adrienne Calhoun — who she was, how she met George Foreman, their love story, and what happened after their split. Her story deserves to be told, and today, we’re going to do just that.

Early Life of Adrienne Calhoun

Adrienne Calhoun was born in 1953, in the United States. Not much is known about her early years because she always lived a very private life. She didn’t chase fame and rarely spoke to the media.

She had a mixed-race background and followed the Christian faith. There is no public record of her school or childhood experiences, and she seemed to prefer it that way.

Even after becoming the wife of a rising star like George Foreman, Adrienne chose to stay away from the spotlight. She wanted to live peacefully, without all the noise that comes with fame.

How Adrienne Calhoun Met George Foreman

Adrienne and George’s love story started in a fun and surprising way — on a blind date. It was August 29, 1970, when a friend of Adrienne’s came over and said, “Hey, there’s this boxer in town named George Foreman. He’s looking for someone to go out with him.”

Adrienne didn’t think much of it. She wasn’t really impressed by the idea. But she agreed to go. In her own words, she said, “The boyfriend I had was a nobody.” So she gave it a try.

That one blind date changed everything. After a few more meetings, they clicked. George liked Adrienne’s calm nature, and she saw something special in him too. Soon, they started dating seriously.

The Wedding

Just a few months later, in 1971, George Foreman and Adrienne Calhoun got married. It was a happy time for both of them. George was quickly becoming a well-known boxer, and Adrienne was now his wife, supporting him from the sidelines.

She wasn’t flashy. She didn’t chase fame or attention. She simply stood by George as he trained and prepared for big fights. In those days, their love felt strong and true.

Adrienne’s world changed overnight. She went from being a regular young woman to becoming the wife of a famous athlete. But she never let the fame get to her. She stayed the same — quiet, kind, and focused on her family.

Their Life Together as a Married Couple

George and Adrienne were married for three years. During this time, they had a daughter named Michi Foreman. She was their pride and joy. Adrienne loved being a mom and focused on raising Michi with love and care.

But things weren’t always easy. George’s fame grew quickly, and with that came stress, travel, and new people in his life. Adrienne tried to hold things together, but sometimes love alone is not enough.

As George became busier, their marriage started to feel distant. Still, Adrienne stayed strong. She did her best to support him, even when things got hard at home.

Why Adrienne Calhoun and George Foreman Got Divorced

In 1974, George and Adrienne ended their marriage. The reason behind their split was deeply personal. George was reportedly involved in an affair with Pamela Clay, which led to the birth of George Foreman Jr. while he was still married to Adrienne.

This news deeply hurt Adrienne. It was a betrayal that broke her heart. But instead of making things worse, she quietly stepped away. She filed for divorce and moved on with her life, choosing peace over drama.

Even after the divorce, Adrienne never spoke badly about George in public. She stayed respectful and continued focusing on her daughter. That shows the kind of person she was — calm, strong, and full of grace.

Life After the Divorce

After their split, Adrienne remarried a man named Ben Jones. She moved on from her past and started a new chapter in her life. While not much is known about her second marriage, it’s clear that she wanted a simple, private life away from the spotlight.

Despite the divorce, Adrienne and George remained on good terms. She once shared that she often reached out to him for support, especially when it came to their daughter, Michi. That shows how mature and understanding their bond was — even after heartbreak.

Adrienne didn’t return to the public eye. She stayed away from interviews and avoided the media. But those who knew her say she was warm, wise, and full of quiet strength.

Adrienne Calhoun and Her Daughter Michi Foreman

Adrienne’s biggest joy in life was her daughter, Michi Foreman. She raised Michi with love and care, mostly away from the cameras. While George was busy with boxing and business, Adrienne stayed close to home, guiding Michi through childhood and beyond.

Michi grew up as part of the larger Foreman family, which includes many siblings from George’s other relationships. But Adrienne made sure Michi never felt left out or less important.

Sometimes, Adrienne would reach out to George for help or advice about Michi. This shows that even after everything, she stayed focused on what really mattered — her child’s well-being.

Adrienne Calhoun’s Later Years and Her Passing

After her second marriage, Adrienne Calhoun stayed out of the public eye. She chose a quiet and peaceful life. While the world talked about George Foreman’s career, Adrienne kept things simple. She focused on her family and lived a calm life away from media attention.

In 2016, Adrienne sadly passed away at the age of 63. Her death was not widely reported, and the cause was never shared with the public. Even in her final years, she kept her privacy close. But those who knew her say she was kind, wise, and strong till the very end.

Her passing reminded many people of her role in George Foreman’s early life. She may not have been in the spotlight, but her story still mattered. She was part of the foundation of a legend’s journey.

How Adrienne Helped Shape George Foreman’s Life

Adrienne Calhoun may not have been in the ring, but she played a big role behind the scenes. She was there when George Foreman was just starting out. At a time when he was building his name, Adrienne stood by him with quiet support.

Their love story was part of George’s early chapter. She was his first wife, and that bond can never be erased. Even after they divorced, George stayed connected with her, mostly through their daughter. That shows how much respect and care still remained.

Adrienne’s calm and steady presence helped George during some of his toughest years. And though their paths went different ways, she helped shape the man he became.

George Foreman’s Other Marriages After Adrienne

After Adrienne, George Foreman had four more wives. Each relationship added more chapters to his personal life.

• In 1977, he married Cynthia Lewis, who had won a beauty pageant. Their marriage lasted two years. After the divorce, Cynthia said their relationship had many problems, including emotional stress.

• In 1981, George married Sharon Goodson. But this marriage was very short. They divorced the following year and had no children.

• In 1982, George married Jennifer Skeete. They had two children — Freeda Foreman and George Foreman III. That marriage lasted about three years before ending in divorce.

• In 1985, George married Mary Joan Martelly, his fifth and current wife. They’ve been together ever since and raised seven children — five biological and two adopted. Mary Joan has stayed by his side through fame, business, and faith.

Was Adrienne in the “Big George Foreman” Movie?

When the movie Big George Foreman came out, many fans noticed a character named Paula, played by actress Shein Mompremier. Some people thought Paula was meant to be Adrienne Calhoun.

But that’s not fully true. Paula is actually a fictional character, created for the film. She was loosely inspired by Adrienne, but her name and story were changed for dramatic reasons. So while Adrienne’s role was felt, her name was not directly used in the movie.

The same goes for another character, Desmond, who is shown as a business manager who misuses George’s money. In real life, Desmond doesn’t exist — he’s a mix of people from George’s past, not a real person.

Remembering Adrienne Calhoun’s Legacy

Even though she didn’t write books or star in movies, Adrienne Calhoun left a quiet but lasting mark. She was part of George Foreman’s early life, and that will always be part of his story.

She showed strength, even in pain. She handled heartbreak with grace. She raised a daughter with love and kept peace with her ex-husband. That’s a powerful kind of success — one that doesn’t need cameras or crowds.

Today, Adrienne is remembered not just as George Foreman’s first wife, but as a woman who lived with dignity, stayed true to herself, and made a difference in her own way.

Final Thoughts

The story of Adrienne Calhoun reminds us that not every hero wears gloves or belts. Some stand quietly beside the ring, helping others shine. Adrienne’s life was full of quiet power, and her love story with George Foreman, though short, was very real.

While George Foreman went on to become a boxing legend, a businessman, and a household name, Adrienne chose a different path — one of privacy, peace, and purpose. Her story is worth remembering.