Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky
Birth name: Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Father: Cassius (Cash) Clay, a sign and mural painter
Mother: Odessa (Grady) Clay
Marriages: Yolanda (Lonnie) Williams (November 19, 1986-present); Veronica Porche (June 1977-January 1986, divorced); Khalilah Tolona (Belinda Boyd) (August 1967-January 1977, divorced); Sonji Roi (August 1964-January 1966, divorced)
Children: Adopted with Yolanda (Lonnie) Williams: Assad; with Veronica Porche: Laila (1977) and Hana (1976); with Aaisha Fletcher: Khaliah(1974); with Khalilah Tolona: Muhammad Ibo, Jr. (1972), Rasheda and Jamillah (1970); Maryum (1968); with Patricia Harvell: Miya (1971)
Other Facts:
Nickname: The Greatest. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, describes his style.
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October 23, 2000 – Is appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace.
November 9, 2005 – Is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.
November 21, 2005 – The Muhammad Ali Center opens in Louisville, Kentucky.
April 11, 2006 – Entertainment and licensing firm CKX announces that it is paying Ali $50 million in exchange for 80 percent of whatever it makes selling his name and likeness. Under the agreement, Ali has 20 percent control of the newly formed company G.O.A.T. LLC, which stands for “Greatest of All Time.”
May 24, 2011 – Publicly appeals to Iranian officials for the release of captive hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.
October 2013 – The Muhammad Ali Center in Ali’s hometown, Louisville, Kentucky, honors him with the “Three Days of Greatness.” A weekend of film premieres on Ali’s life, “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” and “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” and the presentation of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards.
December 20, 2014 – Is hospitalized with pneumonia but his prognosis is good.
