Boxing legend George Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76, leaving behind a significant legacy as both a sports icon and a business entrepreneur. His family shared the news, stating that he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Tributes flooded in from various personalities, notably his close friend and WWE legend Hulk Hogan, who expressed heartfelt sentiments on social media, calling Foreman a "devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather." Hogan continued, "For over 40 years, George showed me nothing but love and friendship. He was the true example of what a Christian and a champion should be."
George Foreman is famously associated with boxing, but he famously turned his name into a household brand via the 'George Foreman Grill.' Launched in the 1990s, the grill rapidly became a commercial success, selling over 120 million units worldwide and earning Foreman an estimated £200 million fortune from the venture. Ironically, the grill could have been marketed under a different name—Hulk Hogan's. During a pivotal opportunity in the mid-1990s, Hogan was approached by the grill's marketing team, but his decision to prioritize his children's schedule over a business phone call led him to miss out on the lucrative deal that ultimately made Foreman a millionaire.
Foreman's rise in boxing began when he amazed the world as a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. In 1968, he claimed gold in the heavyweight division at the Mexico City Olympics, defeating Jonas Čepulis. His professional career truly began in 1973 when he defeated Joe Frazier for his first heavyweight title. A few years later, in 1974, he faced Muhammad Ali in the historic 'Rumble in the Jungle,' which became one of the most-watched events in history.
Despite retiring from boxing in 1977, Foreman made an unexpected comeback in the late 1980s, returning to the sport at age 38. He captured the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles in 1994 at the remarkable age of 45, making him the oldest boxer to win a heavyweight title. As he announced his permanent retirement in 1997, he held a career record of 76 wins, including 68 knockouts, against only five losses. Aside from his accolades in the ring, Foreman also found purpose as an ordained minister, sharing his faith with others and contributing to charity work.
His impact extended beyond boxing as he ventured into the culinary world, with the George Foreman Grill revolutionizing home cooking. In interviews, Foreman shared that his original investment included only 16 grills, which he distributed among family and kept a few for training camps. Foreman stated, "Little did I know, over 120 million of those things would be sold worldwide that quickly." He acknowledged that his grill sales eclipsed his entire boxing income, noting, "Yes. But, also I made more friends from the grill because it worked." Foreman noted the grill's success helped him connect with people, contrasting it to the sometimes harsh nature of boxing.
Hulk Hogan reminisced about his missed opportunity concerning the grill, admitting that he was offered a contract but did not respond in time because he was busy picking up his children from school. In his own words, Hogan recalled, "So I said, ‘I’m going to beat all these soccer moms today,’ and went to McDonald's, got a cooler, had everything ready, and got to the school early. I get home and press the old school voicemail recorder machine and it says, ‘Hey Hulk, this is Sam Perlmutter, I’ve got a grill... I wasn’t there to answer the call, so when I call Sam back he said George took the grill.'”
While Hogan may rue missing out on a lucrative endorsement deal, the friendship between him and Foreman remained unshaken. In a 2017 social media message, Foreman described Hogan as "about the best friend I ever had." Their camaraderie and mutual admiration foreshadowed a supportive and heartfelt relationship beyond the bounds of their professional rivalries.
In summary, George Foreman's remarkable life was characterized by resilience, faith, and a pursuit of entrepreneurial success. He leaves behind a legacy not only as one of the greatest boxers in history but also as a cultural icon whose grilling machine changed home cooking. His influence spans generations, inspiring many inside and outside the sports world.
