Muhammad Ali: A Legendary Life

What Was Muhammad Ali's Net Worth?

When Muhammad Ali passed away, he left behind a legacy that stretched far beyond the boxing ring. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at $50 million. During his heyday, Ali wasn't just one of the best boxers in the world—he was one of the highest-paid athletes, period. His career spanned decades, and his impact on sports and society remains unmatched. Ali passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions.

Muhammad Ali's journey began in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born as Cassius Clay. From those humble beginnings, he rose to become a global icon. His love for boxing started when his bike was stolen, and his anger was channeled into the sport. As an amateur, Ali was unstoppable, winning six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles and even capturing gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Once he turned pro, his unique combination of speed, power, and charisma set him apart. Who could forget his famous line, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"?

In 1964, Ali stunned the world by defeating Sonny Liston to claim the heavyweight title. Shortly after, he embraced Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. For a few years, Ali ruled the boxing world until 1967, when he refused to be drafted into the U.S. military due to his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. This bold decision cost him his titles and kept him out of the ring during his prime years. But Ali wasn’t one to back down from a fight, inside or outside the ring.

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When Ali returned to boxing in 1970, he quickly found himself in some of the sport's most legendary matches. There was the "Fight of the Century" against Joe Frazier, the "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman, and the "Thrilla in Manila" against Frazier once again. By the end of his career, Ali had racked up an impressive record of 56 wins (37 by knockout) and 5 losses. Beyond boxing, Ali became a powerful advocate for civil rights and religious freedom. His courage in standing up for what he believed in made him a controversial yet deeply influential figure in American history.

Even as Parkinson's disease slowed him down later in life, Ali remained a beacon of hope and inspiration. He lit the Olympic flame at the 1996 Atlanta Games, creating an unforgettable moment. When Ali passed away in 2016, he left behind a legacy that transcended sports, inspiring people around the world to stand up for their beliefs.

Muhammad Ali's Career Earnings

While Ali wasn’t the first boxer to earn $1 million for a fight—that honor goes to Gene Tunney in 1927—he certainly set the bar high for future generations. In 1971, Ali earned $2.5 million to fight Joe Frazier, which is equivalent to about $15 million today. He then took home $5.45 million for his bout against George Foreman in 1974, which translates to roughly $26 million in today’s dollars. His biggest payday came in 1980 when he earned $7.9 million for his fight against Larry Holmes. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $22 million today, though his 1974 check still holds the title as the largest payday of his career.

In 2006, Ali made headlines again when he sold the rights to his name and image for a whopping $50 million. But that wasn’t the end of his earning potential. As part of the deal, Ali retained a 20% stake in his licensing, which generated around $7 million per year in revenue. Even after stepping away from the ring, Ali continued to leave a mark on the world.

Early Life

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, grew up in a world shaped by racial segregation. One of six children, Ali was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., who worked as a billboard painter, and his mother, Odessa O'Grady Clay, who stayed at home to raise the family. Despite struggling with a learning disorder throughout school, Ali's determination shone through. Growing up in a segregated society, he faced numerous acts of racial injustice, including being denied a drink of water at a store. The murder of Emmett Till in 1955 had a profound impact on him, inspiring him and a friend to vandalize a local railyard as a form of protest.

How Boxing Changed Everything

Ali’s passion for boxing began at the age of 12 when his bike was stolen, and he flew into a rage at the scene of the crime. A police officer on the scene suggested he channel that anger into boxing, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ali partnered with boxing coach Fred Stoner, and together they achieved incredible success, winning numerous championships, including six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, an Amateur Athletic Junior Title, and two National Golden Gloves. He made his amateur debut in 1954 with a victory over local boxer Ronnie O'Keefe. For the last four years of his amateur career, he was trained by Chuck Bodak. His crowning achievement as an amateur was winning the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. By the time he hung up his gloves as an amateur, Ali had amassed an impressive record of 100 wins and only 5 losses.

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Professional Boxing Career

After his Olympic triumph, Ali returned to Louisville and began his professional career. On October 29, 1960, he made his professional debut and stayed undefeated for three straight years, with 15 of his 19 fights ending in knockouts. Ali’s unorthodox boxing style set him apart from others. Instead of keeping his hands high to defend his face, like most boxers of his height and build, Ali relied on his incredible quickness to avoid punches, keeping his hands low. This style helped him build a reputation as a fighter who could predict the round his opponent would fall, and he was right seven times. He also became known for taunting his opponents before each match, adding to his larger-than-life persona.

Ali's big break came when he became the top contender to face Sonny Liston, the reigning heavyweight champion. Despite his impressive record, Ali was still considered the underdog. On February 25, 1964, Ali shocked the world by defeating Liston and, at just 22 years old, became the youngest fighter to ever take the title from a reigning heavyweight champion.

Shortly after his victory, Ali announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. In 1966, he refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali was arrested and found guilty of draft evasion, stripped of his titles, and banned from boxing for several years. His conviction was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court in 1971, but those years away from the ring cost him his prime athletic performance. Despite this, Ali’s refusal to back down earned him praise from civil rights activists like Al Sharpton, who hailed his bravery and the inspiration he provided to the movement. In 1970, Ali was honored with the Martin Luther King Award by civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy. Coretta Scott King, speaking at the ceremony, called Ali a "champion of justice and peace and unity."

In 1971, Ali participated in what many called the "Fight of the Century" against heavyweight champion Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. The two undefeated fighters went toe-to-toe for 15 grueling rounds, and in the end, Frazier handed Ali his first professional loss. Ali and Frazier would face each other two more times, with Ali emerging victorious in their second bout. This set up a match against George Foreman, known as the "Rumble in the Jungle" because it took place in Kinshasa, Zaire. Once again, Ali entered the fight as the underdog but proved everyone wrong by defeating Foreman and regaining the heavyweight title. Ali’s trash-talking and spoken-word poetry in the ring were legendary, and his style has been compared to early hip-hop and rap.

In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's Syndrome, which affected his voice and motor skills. Despite this setback, he remained active in the fight against Parkinson's throughout his life. In 1996, he was given the honor of lighting the Olympic flame, creating a moment that will never be forgotten. Ali remains the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion and is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time.

Outside the ring, Ali was a talented musician who received two Grammy nominations. He also dabbled in acting and writing, releasing two autobiographies. Known for his philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, Ali touched countless lives. Tragically, Muhammad Ali passed away from septic shock on June 4, 2016, at the age of 74, in Scottsdale, Arizona. His memorial was attended by fellow sports figures and celebrities and was watched by an estimated 1 billion viewers worldwide.

Personal Life

Ali’s personal life was as colorful as his professional one. He was married four times. His first marriage was to cocktail waitress Sonji Roi in August 1964, but the couple divorced in January 1966. Ali then married Belinda Boyd in August 1967, and they had four children together. In 1974, at the age of 32, Ali had an extramarital relationship with 16-year-old Wanda Bolton. The pair had two children together and were married in an Islamic ceremony that wasn’t legally recognized by the state. Ali married Veronica Porche in 1977, and they had two children before divorcing in 1986. Finally, Ali married Yolanda Williams, a close friend since 1964, and the couple adopted a son. Interestingly, one of Ali’s daughters, Laila, followed in her father’s footsteps and became a professional boxer from 1999 until 2007.