Mary Joan Martelly: George Foreman’s Wife, Philanthropist, and Family Anchor

Mary Joan Martelly is known worldwide as the wife of George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist. Their marriage lasted nearly 40 years before Foreman’s passing on March 21, 2025. However, Mary Joan’s story extends far beyond her role as a celebrity spouse. She is a dedicated philanthropist, AIDS awareness advocate, and the anchor of a large blended family.

George Foreman and Mary Joan Martelly married on March 27, 1985, marking Foreman’s fifth marriage. Their union became his longest and most stable relationship, standing as a model of commitment in an industry where marriages often crumble under public scrutiny.

Early Life in Mon Repos, Saint Lucia

Mary Joan Martelly was born on May 17, 1963, in Mon Repos village on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. She grew up as the third child in a family with six to eight siblings, depending on sources. Her childhood was shaped by financial hardship, particularly after her father’s untimely death at age 44.

As the family’s circumstances became difficult, Mary Joan took on jobs to help support her household. She worked at a Chinese restaurant in Mon Repos and later at a clothing factory. These early experiences taught her resilience and work ethic—qualities that would define her adult life.

Mary Joan excelled in athletics during her school years, particularly in track and field. In her 2014 interview with the University of Houston Law Center, she recalled her love for sports: “I loved sports in school. The school was really fun, interestingly, ’cause you grew up with the same set of children from kindergarten up to high school, so everyone knew everyone.”

Immigration to the United States

Facing limited opportunities in Saint Lucia, Mary Joan made the decision to immigrate to the United States. She initially worked as a nanny, taking care of children for families in Houston, Texas. This work allowed her to establish herself in a new country while maintaining the nurturing qualities that would later define her role as a mother and stepmother.

Her move to America represented the pursuit of better opportunities—a journey many immigrants undertake in search of the American Dream.

Meeting George Foreman

Mary Joan Martelly met George Foreman in 1984 while working as a nanny for one of his friends. At the time, Foreman was navigating a custody dispute with his fourth wife, Andrea Skeete. Mary Joan initially came to the United States on a six-month visa to support George during this legal battle.

What made their connection unique was Mary Joan’s unfamiliarity with George’s fame. She had never watched him box and knew nothing about his celebrity status. “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 shared in her University of Houston interview.

As her six-month visa neared its end, George realized he had fallen in love. “By the time my six months came, he was in love. He said, ‘You can’t go back,'” Mary Joan recalled.

George proposed in an understated but heartfelt manner. “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?'” Mary Joan remembered. “And I was like, ‘I didn’t know what to say,’ but I went, ‘Okay, yes.'”

The couple married on March 27, 1985, beginning a partnership that would span four decades.

Building a Blended Family

Mary Joan Martelly and George Foreman have five biological children together: George IV, George V, George VI, Leola, and Natalie. Following a unique family tradition, all of George’s sons share the name George Edward Foreman, with different Roman numerals and nicknames to distinguish them.

Beyond their biological children, Mary Joan embraced her role as stepmother to George’s children from previous marriages. This included daughters Michi, Freeda (who died in 2019), and Georgetta, as well as sons George Jr. and George III. The couple also adopted two daughters: Isabella Brandie Lilja in 2009 and Courtney Isaac in 2012.

Managing such a large blended family required dedication and organizational skills. Mary Joan prioritized being present for her children’s daily lives. “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 A to Z,” she told the University of Houston.

The Foreman family briefly opened their home to cameras in 2008 for the TV Land reality series Family Foreman. The show, produced by New Line Television, aired six episodes and offered viewers a glimpse into their daily lives. Despite this rare public appearance, Mary Joan generally maintained her privacy preference.

Supporting George’s Boxing Comeback

When George Foreman announced his return to boxing in the late 1980s after a decade-long retirement, skeptics questioned his decision. He was 38 years old and had been away from the sport while serving as an ordained minister.

Mary Joan stood firmly by his side during this comeback. Her support proved crucial as George defied expectations, eventually reclaiming the World Heavyweight Champion title in 1994 at age 45—making him the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

However, Mary Joan also knew when to encourage her husband to step away. When George considered another comeback at age 55, she asked him a simple but profound question: “Isn’t that the way you want to leave?” Her words convinced him to retire permanently, preserving his health and legacy.

Behind the scenes, Mary Joan helped manage family responsibilities and business ventures, allowing George to focus on training and competition. Her organizational skills and steady presence provided stability during a demanding period.

AIDS Awareness and Humanitarian Work

While Mary Joan chose to stay out of the spotlight during much of George’s boxing career, she found her own calling in humanitarian work. Her most significant contribution has been in the field of AIDS awareness, particularly pediatric AIDS prevention.

In the 1990s, Mary Joan became a spokesperson for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She and George co-founded the Foreman Family AIDS Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial support and resources to AIDS patients and advocacy groups worldwide.

Their efforts focused on education and prevention campaigns in both Houston, Texas, and Saint Lucia. They worked to raise awareness about how children contract HIV/AIDS and the importance of early testing and treatment.

In 1995, Mary Joan received the UNICEF Children’s Champion Award in recognition of her humanitarian contributions. This honor acknowledged her tireless work on behalf of children affected by AIDS.

In 2007, both Mary Joan and George were jointly honored at the “A World of Friends Fighting AIDS” event. Their dedication to this cause demonstrated how public figures can use their platform to create meaningful social impact.

Mary Joan’s approach to charity reflects the values instilled by her grandmother. “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,'” she explained.

Supporting the George Foreman Youth and Community Center

Beyond AIDS awareness, Mary Joan has been involved with the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston. This facility provides sports programs, educational opportunities, and safe spaces for young people in the community.

The center reflects both George and Mary Joan’s commitment to giving back to their local community and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Involvement in Business Ventures

While George became the public face of the George Foreman Grill—a business venture that would earn him more than his entire boxing career—Mary Joan played an essential behind-the-scenes role. She helped manage family affairs and supported George’s various entrepreneurial endeavors while maintaining household stability.

Her contributions to their business success often went unrecognized publicly, but George acknowledged her importance. In an interview with CBN.com, he noted: “Mary is a good wife. We call her Joan. But the best thing that happened to me was finding a good wife who understood that children are not just something you can have today and then say, ‘That was something that happened in the past.’ It’s an ever-present thing in your life, and it’s wonderful to have a wife to understand that.”

Life on the Huffman Estate

The Foreman family resides on a grand estate in Huffman, Texas, a property they purchased in the early 2000s. The construction took nearly three years to complete, resulting in a 45,000-square-foot main house situated on 45 acres of land.

The estate, valued at over $10 million, includes a guesthouse and a dedicated gym facility. The property provided space for family gatherings, training facilities, and the privacy that Mary Joan valued.

Personal Challenges and Loss

Mary Joan’s life has not been without tragedy. In 2009, the family suffered a devastating loss when their daughter Leola died at age 31 after battling cancer. This profound grief tested Mary Joan and George’s marriage, but ultimately brought them closer together.

Mary Joan demonstrated remarkable strength during this period, drawing on her faith to cope with the loss. After mourning, she channeled her grief into supporting cancer research foundations, helping others facing similar struggles.

Mary Joan has also faced her own health challenges, including diabetes and hypertension. She has managed these conditions with grace while continuing to support her family and charitable causes.

Faith and Values

Faith plays a central role in Mary Joan’s life. She is a devout Christian who regularly attends church services with her family. Her faith sustained her through difficult periods and informs her approach to charity and family life.

George Foreman became an ordained minister in the 1970s, and Mary Joan has supported his spiritual work alongside his boxing and business ventures.

Caribbean Heritage and Cultural Identity

Despite living in the United States for decades, Mary Joan has maintained strong connections to her Caribbean roots. Her Saint Lucian heritage influences her values, including her emphasis on close family ties, community bonds, and a resilient work ethic.

She is known for preparing traditional Caribbean cuisine for her family, keeping her cultural heritage alive within her household. Her involvement in charitable activities extends to Saint Lucia, where she has supported educational programs for underprivileged children.

Mary Joan holds dual citizenship as a Saint Lucian-American, reflecting her connection to both her birthplace and her adopted home.

Privacy in the Public Eye

Despite being married to one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, Mary Joan Martelly has maintained a remarkably private life. She rarely grants interviews, avoids social media platforms, and seldom makes public appearances.

This commitment to privacy stems from her belief that personal matters should remain personal. She values substance over public recognition and prefers to let her actions speak through her charitable work rather than media attention.

Her privacy-first approach stands in contrast to many celebrity spouses who seek the spotlight. Mary Joan’s focus has always been on her family’s well-being and her humanitarian missions rather than personal fame.

George Foreman’s Death and Mary Joan’s Legacy

George Foreman died peacefully on March 21, 2025, at age 76, surrounded by loved ones. The family announced his passing on Instagram, describing him as “a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather” who “lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”

Mary Joan now carries forward their shared commitment to family, faith, and philanthropy. Their nearly 40-year marriage stands as his longest and most successful relationship, a union built on mutual respect, shared values, and unwavering devotion.

Conclusion

Mary Joan Martelly’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and quiet strength. From her modest beginnings in Mon Repos, Saint Lucia, to her role as the matriarch of a large American family, she has demonstrated the power of dedication and love.

Her contributions extend beyond her role as a supportive wife. As an AIDS awareness advocate, she has helped save lives and raise awareness about pediatric HIV prevention. As a mother and stepmother, she has raised and nurtured a large blended family. As a community supporter, she has given back to both Houston and Saint Lucia through educational and health initiatives.

Mary Joan embodies values that transcend fame and wealth: humility, generosity, faith, and commitment to family. Her preference for working behind the scenes does not diminish the significance of her impact. Rather, it reflects a person who measures success not by public recognition but by the difference made in the lives of others.

Today, Mary Joan Martelly continues to live privately in Huffman, Texas, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and memories of a remarkable partnership. Her legacy is woven into the lives she has touched—through her children, her charitable work, and her steadfast devotion to the causes and people she loves.

The story of Mary Joan Martelly reminds us that behind every public success story often stands someone whose contributions are equally significant, even if less visible. Her journey from Saint Lucia to becoming a pillar of strength for one of boxing’s greatest champions is a demonstration of the quiet power of love, faith, and dedication.