Foreman—nicknamed Big George—rose to fame in the boxing world in the ’60s, when he won a gold medal at age 19 at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. By the end of 1971, with 32 wins and no losses, he was boxing’s No. 1 challenger in the world and became the World Heavyweight Champion two years later in knockout match with reigning champ Joe Frazier.

Foreman went on to defend his title two more times before being defeated by Muhammed Ali in the historic 1974 fight, “the Rumble in the Jungle,” which is believed to be the most-watched live television broadcast of all time.

And while he continued to step into the ring for several years following the loss, he retired from the sport in 1977 and found success in TV, starring in the short-lived sitcom George, as well as launching and becoming the spokesperson for the George Foreman Grill, which has sold over 100 million units since its 1994 debut.

“My attorney came to me and said, ‘George, you’re making other people wealthy, why don’t you make yourself wealthy?’” Foreman told People in 2003 of his idea to get into the product business. “And he told me about this grill.”

The Olympian—who married Mary Joan Martelly in 1985—is survived by his wife and 11 of his 12 children: Natalia, Leola, Michi,  Isabella, Courtney, Georgetta and Freeda (who died in 2019) and five sons all named George Edward Foreman.

For his life in photos, keep reading…