Mary Joan Martelly is the wife of George Foreman, one of the greatest boxers of all time. She has been married to him since 1985 and has supported him through his remarkable career and life. She is also a mother of five children and a philanthropist who has worked to raise awareness about AIDS in children. Here is everything you need to know about Mary Joan Martelly, the woman behind George Foreman’s success.
Early Life & Background
Mary Joan Martelly was born on May 17, 1963, in Mon Repos, a town on the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. She was the third girl child in a family of six girls and two boys. Her father died when he was 44, leaving the family in financial difficulties. Mary and her siblings had to take up odd jobs to make ends meet. She worked at a restaurant, a clothing factory, and as a nanny.
Mary Joan Martelly developed an interest in sports at a young age and showed promise as an athlete. She excelled in track and field events and won several medals at school competitions. However, she did not get the opportunity to pursue her talent further or go to college due to her family situation.
Meeting George Foreman
Mary Joan Martelly met George Foreman in 1984 when she was working as a nanny for one of his friends in Houston, Texas. At that time, George was going through a divorce from his fourth wife, Andrea Skeete, and was involved in a custody battle over their son. Mary came to America to testify for George in the custody dispute and soon fell in love with him.
George Foreman was a former world heavyweight champion who retired from boxing in 1977 after losing to Muhammad Ali in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” fight. He had become an ordained Christian minister and was preaching at a church in Houston. He had also fathered five children from his previous marriages: four daughters (Michi, Freeda, Georgetta, and Natalie) and one son (George Jr.).
Mary and George got married on March 27, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had a simple ceremony with only a few witnesses. They settled down in Houston and started their family.
Supporting George’s Comeback
In 1987, George announced that he was making a comeback to boxing at the age of 39. He said that he wanted to raise money for his church and his youth center, which he had founded to help troubled kids. He also said that he wanted to prove himself as a boxer again.
Mary supported George’s decision and encouraged him to pursue his dream. She stood by him as he trained hard and fought his way back to the top of the boxing world. She also took care of their growing family, which eventually included five more children: four sons (George III, George IV, George V, and George VI) and one daughter (Leola).
In 1994, George achieved one of the greatest feats in sports history when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round and regained the world heavyweight title at the age of 45. He became the oldest world heavyweight champion ever and the only boxer to win the title twice with more than 20 years apart.
Mary Joan Martelly was there to witness George’s historic victory and celebrate with him. She also helped him deal with the challenges that came with fame and fortune. She advised him to be humble and generous with his money and his time. She also urged him to be careful with his health and his opponents.
In 1997, George retired from boxing for good at the age of 48. He had a final record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and 5 losses. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Philanthropic Works
Mary Joan Martelly and George have been actively involved in various philanthropic works over the years. They have donated money and time to various causes, especially those related to children’s welfare and education.
One of their most notable contributions has been their involvement in the campaign for the prevention of pediatric AIDS. They have worked extensively to spread awareness about AIDS in children in both Houston and St. Lucia. They have also supported research and treatment programs for HIV-positive children.
In 2007, Mary Joan Martelly and George were jointly honored at an event called “A World of Friends Fighting AIDS” for their contribution to the campaign. They received an award from former President Bill Clinton, who praised them for their compassion and generosity.
Parents & Siblings
Not much is known about her parents or her siblings’ names and occupations. She has kept her personal life away from the media spotlight and has rarely made any public appearances with her husband and children. She is a devout Christian who attends church regularly with her family.
She is also a philanthropist who has worked to raise awareness about AIDS in children in both Houston and St. Lucia. She received an award from former President Bill Clinton for her contribution to the campaign in 2007.
Did George Foreman cheat on his current wife?
According to the web search results, there are no public reports of George Foreman cheating on his current wife, Mary Joan Martelly. However, he did indulge in infidelity in one of his previous marriages. According to some sources, Foreman reportedly cheated on his first wife, Adrienne Calhoun, whom he married in December 1971, and had an affair with a woman named Pamela Clay. She is the mother of Foreman’s eldest child, George Foreman Jr.
Foreman is currently married to his fifth wife, Mary Joan Martelly. The couple tied the knot back in 1985. Interestingly, their affair started a year before they got married, and at that time, he was married to his fourth wife, Andrea Skeete. Foreman’s first marriage was with Adrienne Calhoun in 1971. The couple called it quits in just three years and ended their marriage in 1974.
Three years later, in 1977, Cynthia Lewis became Foreman’s second wife. However, their marriage didn’t last long either, as the couple split up in 1979. In 1981, Foreman got married again, this time to Sharon Godson. The couple ended up splitting in 1982. In the same year, the boxing icon married Andrea Skeete in a marriage that lasted three years as the duo went separate ways in 1985 after having two children together.
Current Life
Mary Joan Martelly and George currently live on a 40-acre estate in Texas with their children and grandchildren. They enjoy a simple and peaceful life away from the media spotlight. They are still devoted Christians who attend church regularly.
Mary Joan Martelly is proud of her husband’s achievements and legacy as a boxer, a minister, and an entrepreneur. She is also proud of her own role as a wife, a mother, and a philanthropist. She is grateful for the life they have built together and the love they share.
BIO/Wiki
| Name | Mary Joan Martelly |
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Mon Repos, St. Lucia |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-Caribbean |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (162.56 cm) |
| Weight | 127.86 lbs (58 kg) |
| Spouse | George Foreman (m. 1985) |
| Children | George Foreman VI, Leola Foreman, Natalie Foreman, George Foreman IV, George Foreman V |
| Stepchildren | George Foreman Jr., George Foreman III, Michi Foreman, Freeda Foreman, Georgetta Foreman |
| Adopted Children | Isabella Brandie Lilja Foreman, Courtney Isaac Foreman |
| biggeorgeforeman | |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Facts About Mary Joan Martelly
- She was born on May 17, 1963, in Mon Repos, St. Lucia, a town on the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
- Mary met George Foreman in 1984 when she was working as a nanny for one of his friends in Houston, Texas.
- Mary Joan Martelly married George Foreman on March 27, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have been married for 38 years as of 2023.
- Mary has five children with George Foreman: four sons (George IV, George V, George VI, and George X) and one daughter (Leola). She is also a stepmother to five children from George’s previous marriages and an adoptive mother to two children from Sweden.
- She is of African-Caribbean descent and has a height of 5 feet 4 inches (162.56 cm) and a weight of 127.86 lbs (58 kg).
- Mary is a devout Christian who attends church regularly with her husband and family. She also helps her husband with his ministry and his charity work.
- She is a philanthropist who has worked to raise awareness and funds for the prevention of pediatric AIDS in both Houston and St. Lucia. She received an award from former President Bill Clinton for her contribution to the campaign in 2007.
- Mary Joan Martelly is a sports enthusiast who enjoys watching boxing, basketball, and football with her husband and children. She also likes to play golf and tennis in her spare time.
- She is a homemaker who takes care of her family and their 40-acre estate in Texas. She likes to cook, garden, and decorate their home.
- Mary is a supportive and loving wife who has stood by her husband through his remarkable career and life. She has encouraged him to pursue his dreams and goals and has celebrated his achievements with him.
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