Muhammad Ali, the legendary American boxer, was married to four wives during his lifetime: Sonji Roi, Khalilah Ali (formerly Belinda Boyd), Veronica Porché, and Yolanda “Lonnie” Williams.
Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, began boxing at 12, inspired by a local police officer.
He made his amateur boxing debut in 1954, winning a split decision against local boxer Ronnie O’Keefe.
He quickly gained attention as a rising talent, particularly after his triumph at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
At just 18 years old, Ali claimed the light heavyweight gold medal, having already won six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, and an Amateur Athletic Union national championship.
Later that year, Ali turned professional, making his debut on October 29, 1960. He won a six-round decision against Tunney Hunsaker, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
On February 25, 1964, at just 22 years old, Ali shocked the world by defeating Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion.
Shortly afterward, he announced his conversion to Islam, adopting the name Muhammad Ali and rejecting his birth name as a “slave name.”
In 1967, Ali refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, citing religious and ethical beliefs.
This bold decision led to his titles being stripped and a ban from boxing for nearly four years, a sacrifice he later described as one of the most difficult of his life.
Ali then returned to the ring in 1971 and fought Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century,” though he lost in a hard-fought battle.
In 1974, he regained the heavyweight title in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, using his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy.
A year later, he fought Joe Frazier again in the “Thrilla in Manila,” a brutal and grueling match widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in boxing history.
In 1978, he made history by defeating Leon Spinks to become the first boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times.
He retired in 1981 with an impressive professional record of 56 wins and only 5 losses.
After retiring, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984.
Despite his health challenges, he dedicated his later years to humanitarian work and advocating for peace, becoming a global symbol of resilience, kindness, and courage.
On June 2, 2016, Ali was hospitalized in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a respiratory illness. His condition worsened, and he passed away the following day at the age of 74 due to septic shock.
Muhammad Ali’s legacy endures not only as a legendary athlete but as a powerful voice for justice, equality, and humanity.
A Closer Look at Muhammad Ali’s Four Wives and Complex Relationships
In his personal life, Muhammad Ali experienced four marriages and was blessed with nine children: seven daughters and two sons.
His first marriage was to Sonji Roi on August 14, 1964, just a few months after they met.
However, their union was short-lived due to disagreements over religious practices and Ali’s association with the Nation of Islam. They divorced in January 1966.
Shortly after, in 1967, Ali married actress Belinda Boyd, who later changed her name to Khalilah Ali.
Their relationship began on a memorable note. In an interview with NBC 6, Boyd recounted meeting Ali as a child at her hometown mosque. She shared:
He said, ‘Listen here little girl. This is my name. Imma be famous. You need to keep that ’cause it’s gone be worth a lot of money
Via Nbcmiami
She humorously added, “You’ll never be famous with that name,” as she walked away.
During their marriage, the couple had four children: Maryum, born in 1968, twins Jamillah and Rasheda in 1970, and Muhammad Ali Jr. in 1972.
However, their marriage faced challenges. In 1974, Ali began an extramarital relationship with 16-year-old Wanda Bolton, later known as Aaisha Ali.
Together, they had a daughter, Khaliah, born in June 1974.
While still married to Khalilah, Ali entered into an Islamic marriage with Aaisha in 1975, though it was not legally recognized.
He also fathered another daughter, Miya (born in 1972), from a separate relationship with Patricia Harvell.
These incidents strained his marriage to Khalilah, leading to their divorce in 1977.
In the same year, Ali married actress and model Veronica Porché in 1977.
They had two daughters: Hana, born in 1976, and Laila, born in 1977. Laila would go on to follow in her father’s footsteps, becoming a professional boxer.
In 1986, Ali’s repeated infidelity caused the marriage to end. Veronica later reflected:
It was too much temptation for him, with women who threw themselves at him. It didn’t mean anything. He didn’t have affairs – he had one-night stands. I knew beyond a doubt there were no feelings involved. It was so obvious, It was easy to forgive him.
Via People
Later, in 1986, Ali married his fourth wife, Yolanda “Lonnie” Williams.
Their relationship was unique, as they had known each other since childhood in Louisville, Kentucky.
Together, they adopted a son, Asaad Amin, born in 1986 when he was just five months old.
Lonnie played a crucial role in managing Ali’s later career and public appearances, standing by him through his battle with Parkinson’s syndrome and beyond.
Their relationship was marked by enduring love, mutual respect, and shared dedication to charitable causes.
They remained married until Ali’s passing in 2016.
Muhammad Ali’s Legacy Lives On Through His Nine Children
Muhammad Ali’s eldest daughter, Maryum “May May” Ali, is a social worker specializing in juvenile delinquency prevention and a public speaker advocating for Parkinson’s awareness, inspired by her father’s diagnosis.
Rasheda Ali, one of Ali’s twin daughters, is a mother to Nico Ali Walsh, a professional boxer, and the author known for her children’s book on Parkinson’s disease.
Her twin, Jamillah Ali, works as a job counselor and dedicates her efforts to raising funds for charitable organizations in Chicago.
Muhammad Ali Jr., the only son from Ali’s second marriage, overcame personal struggles, including addiction, and now focuses on anti-bullying advocacy through his organization.
Khaliah Ali, a fashion designer, cherishes memories of her father’s loving and supportive nature. She frequently shares stories of his encouragement and how it shaped her confidence.
Hana Ali is an author and filmmaker who has written extensively about her father’s warmth and generosity in books like “At Home with Muhammad Ali.”
Her sister, Laila Ali, followed in their father’s footsteps to become an undefeated professional boxer and is now an entrepreneur running her lifestyle brand.
Miya Ali works as a brand ambassador for Laila’s lifestyle brand and advocates for wellness and dyslexia awareness.
Ali’s youngest child, Asaad Amin, pursued a career in sports media and coaching.
Each of Muhammad Ali’s children honors his legacy in their own way, whether through sports, writing, advocacy, or philanthropy.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- His father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., was a sign and billboard painter, and his mother, Odessa O’Grady Clay, was a domestic helper.
- The Undertaker, an American retired professional wrestler, officially inducted Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5, 2024.
- He remains the only boxer to win The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year award six times and has participated in more Ring “Fight of the Year” bouts than any other fighter.
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