Mary Joan Martelly: The Quiet Woman Who Stood by George Foreman for 40 Years
Most people know George Foreman as a great boxer, a smart businessman, and the man behind the famous George Foreman Grill. But not many people know much about his wife, Mary Joan Martelly. She stayed out of the public eye for most of her life, even though she was married to one of the most famous athletes in the world. This article looks at who she is, how she met George Foreman, and the life they built together.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mary Joan Martelly |
| Also Known As | Mary Joan Foreman |
| Birthplace | Mon Repos, Saint Lucia |
| Nationality | Saint Lucian-American |
| Occupation | Businesswoman, philanthropist |
| Spouse | George Foreman (married March 27, 1985) |
| Marriage Length | Nearly 40 years, until his death in March 2025 |
| Children | Five, including George Foreman IV, V, and VI, Leola, and Natalie |
| Stepchildren | Several, from Foreman’s earlier marriages |
| Home | Huffman, Texas |
| Known For | Supporting George Foreman’s family, boxing career, and business; HIV/AIDS awareness work |
Early Life on the Island of Saint Lucia
Mary Joan Martelly was born in Mon Repos, a small town on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. She grew up in a large family with several sisters and brothers. Life was not always easy. Her father passed away when she was still young, and this was a hard moment for the whole family. Even so, her family taught her strong values about hard work, love, and staying close to the people you care about.
As a young girl, Martelly loved sports and was known to be athletic. School was also a happy part of her life. She once said that she grew up with the same group of children from kindergarten all the way through high school, so everyone knew everyone. This kind of close community likely helped shape the caring and grounded person she became.
Later, Martelly moved to the United States to work as a nanny. This move would change her life in a way she probably never expected.
How She Met George Foreman
Mary Joan Martelly met George Foreman at a born-again Christian church, where Foreman worked as an ordained minister. At the time, Foreman had already made a name for himself in boxing, but he had also stepped away from the sport for a while after finding his Christian faith. He was also going through a difficult custody battle related to his previous marriage.
Foreman later said that Martelly was calm and caring, and that she brought peace into his life during a hard time. The two of them dated for about a year. According to Martelly, Foreman proposed to her in a simple and sweet way. They were on their way to see a movie when he told her to wait a moment. He came back with a small ring and asked her to marry him. She said yes right away.
They got married on March 27, 1985. This made Martelly George Foreman’s fifth wife. His earlier marriages, to Adrienne Calhoun, Cynthia Lewis, Sharon Goodson, and Andrea Skeete, had all ended in divorce. But his marriage to Martelly was different. It lasted for close to 40 years.
Building a Life and a Family Together
After their wedding, George Foreman and Mary Joan Martelly settled into family life in Huffman, Texas, on a large piece of land outside Houston. Together, they had five children: George Foreman IV, George Foreman V, George Foreman VI, Leola Foreman, and Natalie Foreman. They also adopted two daughters, Isabella Brandie Lilja and Courtney Isaac.
Beyond raising her own children, Martelly also helped care for Foreman’s children from his earlier marriages. This made her the stepmother to several more kids, on top of her own five. Managing such a large blended family takes a lot of patience and strength, and by most accounts, Martelly handled it with grace.
In an interview with the University of Houston in 2014, Martelly shared that she knew very little about boxing when she first met Foreman. She had never even watched him fight. But she supported him anyway, including during his surprising comeback to boxing at age 38. Martelly also played a part in Foreman’s decision to finally retire from the ring for good. She once asked him a simple but powerful question about whether that was really how he wanted to leave the sport. Not long after, he retired.
A Private Life, Away From the Cameras
While George Foreman became a household name through boxing, the George Foreman Grill, and TV appearances, his wife chose a very different path. Martelly has always preferred to stay away from interviews, red carpets, and public attention. She rarely spoke to the media and kept her personal life private.
The one major exception was in 2008, when the Foreman family appeared on a reality television show called “Family Foreman.” This gave the public a small look into their home life. However, Martelly later said she did not enjoy the experience and chose not to appear on television again after that.
Despite staying out of the spotlight, people close to the Foreman family often describe Martelly as the backbone of the household. She managed the home, supported her husband’s many projects, and kept the family grounded, all while avoiding fame herself.
Her Work in Philanthropy
Mary Joan Martelly is not only known as a wife and mother. She has also spent years working on charity projects, especially those connected to children and health. Along with her husband, she has supported the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston, Texas, which helps young people in the local area.
Martelly has also worked on health awareness campaigns, particularly around HIV and AIDS. In 2009, she and George Foreman took part in a national campaign to encourage people to get tested for HIV and to learn more about preventing it. This work continued for years, including efforts in both Houston and Saint Lucia, her home country.
Her charity work shows that her role in the Foreman family went far beyond the home. She used her position to help others, even while keeping a low personal profile.
The Loss of George Foreman
George Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76, at his home in Houston, Texas. The family shared the news through an emotional statement on social media, describing him as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather. He was surrounded by loved ones when he died, including Mary Joan Martelly, his wife of nearly 40 years.
Their marriage lasted far longer than any of his previous ones. Many people who followed Foreman’s life point to Martelly as one of the most steady and important people in his story, even though she rarely spoke about it publicly herself.
Conclusion
Mary Joan Martelly’s story is not about fame or attention. It is about steady love, quiet strength, and long-term commitment. She grew up on a small Caribbean island, moved to a new country, and built a life alongside one of the most famous boxers in history, all while staying true to her private nature. She raised a large blended family, supported charity work for children and health awareness, and stood beside George Foreman through nearly 40 years of marriage, right up until his death in 2025. Her life shows that you do not need to be in the spotlight to make a real and lasting difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mary Joan Martelly?
Mary Joan Martelly is a businesswoman and philanthropist from Saint Lucia. She was the fifth and final wife of boxing legend George Foreman, and they were married from 1985 until his death in 2025.
How did Mary Joan Martelly meet George Foreman?
She met him at a church where he served as an ordained minister. They dated for about a year before he proposed to her while they were on their way to see a movie, and they married in March 1985.
How many children does Mary Joan Martelly have?
She and George Foreman had five children together: George Foreman IV, George Foreman V, George Foreman VI, Leola Foreman, and Natalie Foreman. They also adopted two daughters, Isabella Brandie Lilja and Courtney Isaac.
