Popularly known as the wife of the professional boxer George Edward Foreman, Mary Joan Martelly is the epitome of strength, courage, dignity, and a kind heart. Despite being married to the renowned champion and Olympic gold medalist, she has a down-to-earth personality.
She is no less than an angel for countless people as she never steps back from doing any humanitarian work. George Foreman’s wife has helped thousands of AIDS patients with the “Foreman Family AIDS Foundation.” Apart from being a wonderful woman, she is a great mother to five children.
Let’s learn about the life story of this inspiring personality by delving into this post.
Mary Joan Martelly Early Life
Hails from St. Lucia an Eastern Caribbean island nation, Mary Joan Martelly was born in 1955. She grew up in a Christian family and faced numerous challenges in her early life due to miserable financial conditions.
Her father’s death made her the family’s sole earner and she started working in a restaurant and factory. Later, Mary Joan Foreman migrated to the U.S.A. in search of a better living. The challenges, the struggles, and the miserable conditions made her mentally and physically strong and she got the fruits of her hard work in her later life.
George Foreman and Mary Joan Martelly Marriage
When George Foreman and Mary Joan Martelly exchanged vows they were 35 and 36 years old respectively. The duo met at a boxing match in Las Vegas and came into courtship instantly. After a few months, the couple tied the knot in the presence of some close friends on 27 March 1985 in Las Vegas.
Mary Joan stood behind like a pillar and immensely supported her husband George Foreman both inside and outside the ring. The boxer called her the “cornerstone” and the biggest strength of his family. Together the duo have five children, three sons and two daughters.
In total, George Foreman’s kids are 12; five sons and seven daughters. Before walking the aisle with Mary Joan, Forman married four times. Firstly with Adrienne Calhoun (1971-74), secondly with Cynthia Lewis (1977 to 1979), thirdly with Sharon Goodson (1981-82), and lastly with Andrea Skeete (1982-1985).
Mary Joan Martelly Children
Mary Joan Martelly has five children: Natalie, George IV, Leola, George V, and George VI. Additionally, she is the stepmother of three daughters Michi, Georgetta, and Freeda, and two sons, George Jr. and George III. George Moreover, she takes care of the two adopted daughters of George Foreman, Isabella Brenda Lilja (Foreman) and Courtney Isaac (Foreman).
Interestingly, the boxer gave the same name ‘George Foreman’ to all his sons. On being asked about that, he replied “I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. I say to them, If one of us goes up, then we all go up together. And if one goes down, we all go down together!”
Mary Joan Martelly Career
In addition to working for her husband and children, George Foreman’s wife Mary loves to serve humanity. She works dedicatedly for AIDS patients by creating awareness and providing funding through the “Foreman Family AIDS Foundation.”
In the 1990s, she became a spokesperson for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation and was awarded the UNICEF Children’s Champion Award in 1995 for her commendable contribution.
George Foreman also joined awareness campaigns with his wife and the couple was honored at an event called A World of Friends Fighting AIDS in 2007.
Wrap-Up!
George Foreman wife, Mary faced all life challenges with grit and grace and became an inspiration for many. As she has lived in poor conditions, she values people more than money. She has changed the lives of several children suffering from AIDS and sought blessings from millions.
Mary Joan Martelly chose to stay away from the public eye and fulfilled all his responsibilities as a mother and as a wife applaudably. She suffered badly from diabetes and hypertension but turned out to be a great fighter. With each passing day, George Foreman and Mary Joan came closer due to her calm and caring attitude.
