Muhammad Ali’s parents, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr, and Odessa Grady, raised two kids in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents didn’t come from a boxing background, and his family had no history in sports.
It was Ali who craved his name in golden letters in sports when he picked up boxing. Nicknamed “The Greatest,” he began training at age 12, and there is a story behind that as well.
His father worked as a painter, and his mother worked as a house helper. Coming from a humble background, Muhammad bought his parents a house in the Verona Way after he won gold in the Olympics.
Cassius and Odessa might not have come from a boxing background, but they witnessed their son become the greatest player in the sport. And Ali was lucky his parents were present to see his success.
Muhammad Ali Parents, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., And Odessa Grady Clay
Muhammad Ali’s parents, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr, and Odessa Grady, had two sons, Muhammad and Rahman Ali.
But Muhammad Ali wasn’t always named Muhammad Ali. In fact, he was named in honor of his father, Cassius Marcellus Jr.
After converting to Islam, he changed his name to Muhammad, stating his birth name was “a slave name.”
Muhammad Ali Father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr
Muhammad Ali’s father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr, was a sign and billboard painter and loved everything about art. The legendary boxer inherited his unique footwork from his dad.
Born in 1913, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr was named after a fervent abolitionist and a graduate of Yale in 1832.
One of Cassius’ favorite time passes was playing the piano. Cassius Marcellus Clay passed away in 1990 at age 77 as he suffered from a heart attack. He collapsed while leaving a department store.
Muhammad Ali Mother, Odessa Grady Clay
Odessa Grady Clay was always supportive of Ali’s boxing career. She was born in Hopkins County in western Kentucky.
Odessa tied the knot with Cassius in 1930, but by 1980 they had gone their separate ways but lived in Louisville, as per New York Times.
From gym centers to international tournaments, Odessa would be present everywhere to support her son.
She was a Baptist and taught Muhammad to believe in God and would take him and his brother to Church every Sunday.
In his book, Ali described his mother as a sweet and wonder-full woman who loves to cook, make clothes and be with her family. He also stated that his mother taught him to love people and treat everybody with kindness.
Odessa passed away in August 1994 at age 77. She took her last breath at the Hurstbourne Health Center, a nursing home, after being disabled by a stroke in February.
Muhammad Ali Childhood Stories
One of the famous childhood stories of Muhammad Ali was one that has been credited with making him a boxer.
A 12-year-old Cassius Clay Jr. was on his bike on his way to Louisville Home Show. He wanted to go to the show for free popcorn, hot dogs, and candy.
But when he returned from the show, his bike was gone. One person told him to speak with a policeman, Joe Martin, at the nearby Columbia gym.
Joe happened to be a boxing trainer, and when little Cassius entered the gym, he immediately fell in love with the sound and smell of boxing.
Cassius loved the sight in front of him. He even forgot to mention his bike to Martin, who then handed him an application to join the gym. And the rest is history.
