Boxing legend, pastor and entrepreneur George Foreman died Friday night "surrounded by loved ones" at the age of 76, his family announced on his Instagram page. 

“Our hearts are broken,” the caption on the post read. “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. 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.”

Foreman didn't become a boxer until age 17, and quickly became successful with a gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

He then turned pro and racked up an impressive career 76-5 record with 68 knockouts and two world heavyweight championships.

His comeback

A bout of heatstroke in Puerto Rico in 1977 led to Foreman taking a break from wrestling.

He became an ordained minister and founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center during that time.

After a decade, he got back in the ring and made an amazing comeback, winning his second heavyweight title in 1994 at age 45.

“Anything you desire, you can make happen,” Foreman said after that fight. “It’s like the song, ‘When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.’ Well, look at me tonight.”

His family and fortune

Foreman then turned to being a pitchman for various products, most famously the George Foreman grill. The grills became ubiquitous and he made millions on them.

He had 12 children and named all five of his sons George Edward.

I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. 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,’ ” Foreman wrote on his website.

His fear

Foreman admitted that during his first major bout in the 1968 Olympics, he was not as confident as he seemed.

“When I look back at the fight, all I can remember was how afraid I was,” he told the BBC. “Chepulis was representing another ‘superpower’. I didn’t have the confidence that people thought I had."