When most people think about what happened to George Foreman, they picture one of two things: a terrifying, brooding powerhouse knocking out Joe Frazier in 1973, or a jovial, smiling grandfatherly figure selling you a kitchen appliance that drains fat from your burgers. It’s a wild juxtaposition. Honestly, it’s probably the most successful "rebrand" in American history. But the actual story of how George went from the most feared man on the planet to a peaceful preacher—and eventually a multimillionaire businessman—is way more gritty than the commercials suggest.
Sadly, the world recently said goodbye to the Champ. George Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. He died peacefully in a Houston hospital, surrounded by his massive family. While his death was attributed to natural causes related to heart failure, his legacy in 2026 feels bigger than ever. People are finally looking past the "Grill Man" persona to see the sheer grit of his two-act life.
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The Night the Old George "Died"
To understand George, you have to look at 1977. At that point, he was a monster. He had lost to Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle," a defeat that absolutely broke his spirit. He spent years trying to get back to that peak. Then, in a humid locker room in Puerto Rico after a loss to Jimmy Young, something happened that sounds like it’s straight out of a movie.
Foreman claimed he had a near-death experience. He described it as being in a "dump yard" of nothingness—a place of total darkness. He literally felt the presence of God. When he came out of that locker room, he wasn't a boxer anymore. He was a preacher. He stopped fighting. He didn't just retire; he vanished from the sport for a decade. He cut off his hair, stopped being angry, and started a small church in Houston.
He spent those ten years as a relatively poor man compared to his champion days. He was a street-corner preacher. Think about that: the former heavyweight champion of the world, shouting the gospel on street corners.
Why George Foreman Really Came Back
By the late 80s, George was in trouble. Not because he was greedy, but because he was broke. He had poured his money into his youth center in Houston, and the funds were drying up. He realized the only way to keep the doors open for those kids was to do the one thing he swore he’d never do again: get hit in the face for money.
The 1987 comeback was a joke to the media. He was nearly 40. He was bald. He was carrying a "spare tire" around his waist. Everyone thought he’d get seriously hurt.
"I'm not the best boxer in the world," he used to say, "but I'm the best George Foreman there is."
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He proved everyone wrong. On November 5, 1994, at the age of 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer with a single right hand. He became the oldest heavyweight champion in history. He did it wearing the same red trunks he wore when he lost to Ali twenty years earlier. It was a poetic closing of a circle that most people thought was impossible.
The Grill that Changed Everything
If you’re wondering what happened to George Foreman financially, the answer isn't boxing. It’s a "Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine." In 1994, around the same time he won the title again, he was approached by Salton, Inc. They had this slanted grill. Originally, Hulk Hogan was reportedly offered the deal first but passed (a legendary business blunder). George almost passed, too.
His wife, Joan, was the one who actually tried it. She cooked him a burger, and he realized it actually worked. The business deal was insane:
- The Royalties: At the height of the grill’s popularity, George was taking home 40% of the profits.
- Monthly Income: He was reportedly making roughly $4.5 million a month just from endorsements.
- The Buyout: In 1999, Salton bought the rights to his name for a staggering $137 million in cash and stock.
By the time he passed in 2025, his net worth was estimated at over $300 million. He made significantly more money selling kitchenware than he ever did in the ring with Ali or Frazier.
His Health and Final Years
In the years leading up to 2025, George stayed remarkably active. He continued to preach at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston. He didn't suffer from the same severe neurological decline (CTE) that many of his peers did, which he often attributed to his "cross-arm" defense and his ten-year break from the sport.
He was a family man through and through. Yes, he famously named all five of his sons George Edward Foreman. Why? "I tell people, if you’re going to be hit as many times as I was by Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and Evander Holyfield, you’re not going to remember too many names," he’d joke. But the real reason was simpler: he wanted them to have a shared identity, a bond that couldn't be broken.
What We Can Learn from Big George
George Foreman’s life wasn't just about sports; it was a masterclass in the "pivot." He lost his fortune, his title, and his identity, and he rebuilt all of them from scratch.
Key Lessons from the Foreman Playbook:
- Reinvention is a Choice: You don't have to be the person you were ten years ago. George went from a "thug" (his words) to a man of peace.
- Listen to Your Partner: If it wasn't for Joan trying that grill, George might have remained just another retired athlete with a dwindling bank account.
- Purpose Over Ego: He didn't return to boxing to prove he was the best; he did it to fund a youth center. Having a "why" that is bigger than yourself makes the "how" much easier.
- Ownership is King: He didn't just take a flat fee for the grill; he took a percentage. Always bet on the long-term value of your name.
If you’re looking to apply the Foreman mindset to your own life, start by identifying your "Act Two." Whether you're facing a career slump or a personal setback, remember that George was 45 when he shocked the world. It’s never too late to throw the right hand that changes your life.
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Take a look at your current "brand." Are you holding onto an old, angry version of yourself? Or are you ready to smile, sell some grills, and find your peace? The Champ showed us that you can do both.