Meet Mary Joan Martelly: The Woman Behind Boxer George Foreman’s Success

George Foreman is a well-known American who excelled as a professional boxer, entrepreneur, and minister. He became a star in many fields, from business to writing. George Foreman was one of the most famous boxers from 1967 to 1997. Moreover, He won many world heavyweight titles and achieved the Olympic gold medal as well. Besides boxing, he is also famous for his other talents. Yet many people want to know about the woman behind his success.

So, the woman behind George’s success is his wife, Mary Joan Martelly. George Foreman often credits his success to Mary Joan. He has mentioned many times how important she has been to his achievements. Fans and others also believe that Mary Joan has played a big part in George Foreman’s success. After hearing this, you might be excited to learn more about her. If yes, keep reading this article.

Mary Joan Martelly became well-known after George Foreman talked about her support in his interviews. She is known for standing by George through all the ups and downs. Mary Joan is seen as a supportive wife who has always been there for him. In this article, we’ll explore the life of Mary Joan Martelly, the woman who has stood by George Foreman through everything. Let’s find out more about her.

Mary Joan Martelly Quick Bio

Mary Joan Martelly’s Biography

Mary Joan Martelly was born in the small village of Mon Repos on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Although Mary was born in a small village, her family moved to the United States when she was very young. However, Mary Joan comes from a caring family and is the third daughter in a family with seven siblings.

Sadly, her father passed away when she was a teenager. After moving to America, Mary Joan eventually became a U.S. citizen through her marriage to boxer George Foreman. Apart from this, there isn’t much information about her early years or personal details, as she always prefers to keep her life private.

Mary Joan Martelly Age

According to details, George Foreman’s wife, Mary Joan Martelly was born on May 17, 1963. She is 61 years old as of 2024. Moreover, her zodiac sign is Taurus. People with the Taurus sign are known for being loyal, dedicated, and loving. These qualities perfectly describe Mary Joan Martelly’s personality.

How George Foreman and Mary Joan Martelly Met

Mary Joan Martelly met George Foreman through a babysitting job. After moving to the USA on a temporary visa, she started working as a babysitter. It was during this job that she met George Foreman. Soon after meeting, they quickly fell in love, and after dating for six months, they decided to get married.

Mary Joan shared that one day, George asked her to stay in the USA and not go back. During their dating period, they enjoyed going to the movies together. One night, while at the movies, George asked Mary Joan to wait for him. A few minutes later, he came back with a ring and proposed, saying, “Can you marry me?” Mary Joan said it was a strange but happy feeling, and she said yes.

So this is how the couple found each other and fell in love. Mary Joan finds George Foreman really kind and a family person who always loves his parents. The couple soon found each other’s love and got married in 1985. Ever since they have been together, their bond has grown much stronger than before.

Mary Joan’s Married Life

Mary Joan Martelly is married to the famous boxer George Foreman. They met while babysitting and later saw each other again at a boxing match in Las Vegas. After dating for a while, the couple decided to tie up their knots into a permanent marriage. They got married on March 27, 1985, and have five children together.

Their children are three sons and two daughters: George IV, George V, George VI, Leola Foreman, and Natalie Foreman. Each of them has become successful in their own careers.

Mary Joan is also a stepmother to George’s children from his previous marriages. These children include George Foreman Jr., Georgetta Foreman, Michie, and George III. George also adopted two girls, Courtney Isaac Foreman and Isabella Brenda Lilja  Foreman. Together, they have a large and loving family. Want to know more about George Foreman’s previous marriages? Keep reading; we have covered it below.

George Foreman Marriages

Before marrying Mary Joan Martelly, George Foreman was married four times. His first wife was Adrienne Calhoun. The second wife was Cynthia Lewis. The third was Sharon Goodson, and Andrea Skeete was the fourth. George Foreman has five sons and seven daughters from all these marriages together.

First Marriage

George’s first wife was Adrienne Calhoun. They married in December 1971 but divorced three years later in 1974. They had one child, Michie Foreman. The divorce happened because George was seen with a singer and actress Pamela Clay. George and Pamela have a son named George Foreman Jr.

Moreover, after a divorce, George was also in connection with his ex-girlfriend Charlotte Gross and had a daughter named Georgetta Foreman.

Second Marriage

George’s second marriage was to Cynthia Lewis, a former Miss Black Teenage America, in 1977. They divorced in 1979 and did not have any children together.

Third Marriage

George’s third marriage was to Sharon Goodson in 1981. This was his shortest marriage, lasting less than a year. They separated in 1982.

Fourth Marriage

George’s fourth marriage was to Andrea Skeete. They had two children together, Freeda George and George Foreman III. This marriage ended after three years in 1985. Sadly, Freeda George passed away on March 9, 2019, due to health issues.

Mary Joan Martelly’s Philanthropic Work

Mary Joan Martelly is also known for her big heart and hard work in helping others. She cares a lot about health and children’s well-being. Mary Joan is especially passionate about fighting AIDS and making people aware of it. In 1990, she spoke for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation to help protect children from the disease.

With George Foreman’s support, she helped start the Foreman Family AIDS Foundation. This foundation gives money and treatment to people who need help with AIDS. Moreover, Mary Joan Martelly also plays an extensive role in managing the family brand, especially Foreman Grills and George Foreman’s boxing journey.

Mary Joan Martelly’s Net Worth

Mary Joan Martelly has a share in the family’s wealth, thanks to her and George Foreman’s joint efforts. George Foreman’s estimated net worth is around $300 million. This wealth comes from his successful boxing career and the Foreman Grill.

Final Thoughts

We discussed Mary Joan Martelly and George Foreman and concluded that Mary is a star wife. She gained a reputation in the media due to her relationship with George Foreman. Mary and George’s marriage has inspired many generations.

The couple has always loved and been open to each other, while Mary Joan Martelly is known for her extensive support in her husband’s career. The marriage and love between the couple have been going on for 39 years.

(FAQs)

How many children does George Foreman have?

George Foreman has 12 children in total from all his marriages.

How many children do Mary and George Foreman have together?

Mary Joan Martelly and George Foreman have five children together. Mary Joan is also a stepmother to George’s other children from his previous marriages.

What is the height of Mary Joan Martelly?

Mary Joan Martelly is 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is about 168 cm.