He leaves behind a storied history in both the boxing world and in the cultural lexicon:

Heavyweight champion George Foreman has died at the age of 76, his family announced Friday.

Foreman died surrounded by loved ones, his family said.

“Our hearts are broken,” the family wrote in an Instagram post. “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 continued.

Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/Xs5QjMukqr

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025

Foreman wasn’t just a great boxer, he was also an uplifting spirit whose irrepressible personality could not be kept down, win or lose:

Oh you didn’t cook YOUR college meals in an electric grill made by a heavyweight champion? #RIPGeorgeForeman pic.twitter.com/zcMcqAFuJz

— Eric Kay (@ekaycbs) March 22, 2025

While he’s now known almost as much for his effervescent personality and his omnipresent grill, he was also one of the all-time greatest fighters:

Foreman became an Olympic gold medalist in 1968 when he defeated the Soviet Union’s Jonas Čepulis in that year’s Mexico City Olympics. After his victory he, wielded an America flag in the boxing ring while bowing to the crowd.

Foreman has said that his Olympic gold is the accomplishment he is most proud of, even more than his other professional boxing titles.  

But Foreman was most prominently known for his big-ticket matches against fellow legendary boxers Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier.

Foreman officially turned pro in 1969, winning all 13 fights he participated in, with 11 wins coming via knockout.

Even though he was a big-time brawler who fought against the best of the best, he always unapologetically liked his food:

Can you believe 50 years ago, the “Rumble in the Jungle,” fighting Muhammad Ali. Looking back at the best time of my life—celebrate with me with a slice of cake, as I relive the “Rope-a-Dope.”

—George Foreman pic.twitter.com/AaSs5Ca42d

— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) October 30, 2024

Foreman didn’t only become a boxing icon in his youth, but he came back later in life to prove that he was a generational fighter:

Foreman… retired after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, but returned to boxing 10 years later after a self-described religious awakening. By 1994 at age 45, Foreman had won the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight championship titles in his return.

After successful bouts in his second stint, at 46 years old, he became the oldest world heavyweight champion in the history of boxing. Foreman is also the oldest boxer to ever win the world heavyweight boxing championship of major honors and the second-oldest in any weight class. 

George Foreman was one of a kind, and God bless him for bringing his always-positive vision to the world.

RIP, “Big George.” You will be missed.