The couple married in 1985, which was Foreman’s fifth marriage but marked a new beginning for them. Together, they created a blended family, having at least five children together: George IV, George V, George VI, Leola, and Natalie. In addition, they also raised several children from Foreman’s previous marriages.
Martelly shared in a 2014 interview with the University of Houston Law Center that she didn’t really know who Foreman was before meeting him. “I didn’t know anything about George’s career before, I’ve never seen him box before, I didn’t even know him as a boxer, but I helped him all through it,” she said.
The public got a rare glimpse into their family life in the 2008 TV Land series Family Foreman, which showcased the heavyweight champion’s career and his role as a father. Over the years, Martelly and Foreman worked together on many charitable efforts, focusing particularly on children’s welfare and health issues.
Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. His family announced his death on Instagram, saying, “Our hearts are broken. 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.” The post included a photo of Foreman with his wife and children.
So, who is George Foreman’s wife? Here’s what you should know about Mary Joan Martelly and her relationship with the boxer.
Who Is Mary Joan Martelly? All About George Foreman’s WifeShe is from the Caribbean
Born and raised on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, Martelly had a humble beginning. She grew up in the close-knit community of Mon Repos, where she developed a strong sense of determination and an appreciation for the importance of hard work and perseverance.
As a child, Martelly had a great interest in sports. In her interview with the University of Houston, she recalled her time in school with fondness.
“I loved sports in school,” she shared. “School was really fun interestingly, ’cause you grew up with the same set of children from kindergarten all the way up to high school, so everyone knew everyone.”
She testified for Foreman during a custody dispute in the United States
Martelly came to the U.S. on a six-month temporary visa when she accompanied Foreman to Houston to testify for him in a custody dispute. “By the time my six months came, he was in love. He was like, ‘You can’t go back,’ ” she said in her 2014 interview with the University of Houston.
“We were going to the movies … and he says, ‘I’ll be right back,’ and he came back with a little ring, you could barely see the diamond, and he’s like, ‘Can you marry me?’ ” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘I didn’t know what to say,’ but I went, ‘Okay, yes.’ ”
Who Is Mary Joan Martelly? All About George Foreman’s WifeThey were married for 40 years
Martelly’s decision to take a chance seemed to work out, as the couple was married for about 40 years after their wedding in March 1985. They had dated for about a year before getting married.
Their wedding marked the start of a new chapter, where they blended their families and raised children from Foreman’s earlier marriages.
Foreman has been married five times
Before marrying Martelly, Foreman had been married four times. His first marriage was to Adrienne Calhoun in 1971, but they divorced in 1974. In 1977, he married beauty queen Cynthia Lewis, and their marriage lasted until 1979.
In 1981, he married Sharon Goodson, but they separated after just one year. Foreman’s fourth marriage was to Andrea Skeete in 1982, and they stayed together until their divorce in 1985.
Later in 1985, Foreman married Martelly, marking his fifth marriage.
They had a blended family
Foreman and Martelly created a large family, having several children together, including George IV, George V, George VI, Leola, and Natalie.
In addition to their children, Martelly became a stepmother to Foreman’s children from his previous marriages — daughters Michi, Freeda (who passed away in 2019), and Georgetta, and sons George Jr. and George III. All of Foreman’s sons are named George Edward Foreman, keeping the family name alive.
When talking about raising her children, Martelly lovingly shared with the University of Houston that she wanted to be a strong support for them. “I had to raise my kids and I wanted to be there for them, I wanted to be there to pick them up from school, and from A to Z,” she said.
Who Is Mary Joan Martelly? All About George Foreman’s WifeThey lived in Texas
The couple lived in a large estate in Huffman, Texas. They bought the property in the early 2000s, and their dream home took nearly three years to finish. The estate is on 45 acres of land.
The property is worth over $10 million and has several buildings, including a main house, a guesthouse, and a gym. The main house is 45,000 square feet and combines both classic and modern design features.
She has been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts
Martelly has been very active in charitable work, focusing mainly on raising awareness about AIDS and promoting education for children. Together with her husband, she has volunteered a lot for campaigns to prevent pediatric AIDS.
Their work has taken them from Houston to St. Lucia, where they spread important information about AIDS in children and advocated for prevention measures. In recognition of their efforts, the couple was honored together in 2007 at an event called A World of Friends Fighting AIDS.
However, Martelly has always stayed humble about her work, saying to the University of Houston: “Usually we’d do something and we wouldn’t tell anybody. My grandma always said, ‘If you want the blessing, then you don’t let the whole world know.’”