Millions of people, especially avid boxing fans and sports enthusiasts, around the world are definitely grief-stricken over the death of one of the world's greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali. According to Ali's family spokesperson, the three-time heavyweight champ died on Friday evening after his more than three-decade battle with Parkinson's disease.
Muhammad Ali's Death
On June 2, Thursday, Muhammad Ali was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory issues. According to NBC News, the iconic boxing legend, who was battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years, died from respiratory complications on Friday, June 3 in Phoenix.
"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said, as per ABC News. "The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time."
Due to the sudden death of Muhammad Ali, the social media, particularly on Twitter, were flooded with messages of condolences and tributes for the legendary boxer and his family. As for his funeral, it will reportedly take place in his Louisville, Kentucky hometown.
Muhammad Ali's 32-Year Parkinson's Disease Battle
Due to his unparalleled skills in the world of boxing, Muhammad Ali immediately became a household name and a pop-culture icon. In fact, he has been considered as one of the greatest fighters in history as well as one of the most famous celebrities worldwide.
Unfortunately, Muhammad Ali decided to retire in 1981 following his loss to Trevor Berbick in his 61st career fight. In 1984, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome. Eventually, Ali was then diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after his conditions persisted, Vox Culture learns.
Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's disease, however, started when he showed signs of sluggishness and neurological damage in the '70s. Soon thereafter, Ali began receiving Parkinson's disease treatment but it was not until the 1980s that he was formally diagnosed with the disease.
Muhammad Ali's Colorful Love Life
On a more personal note, Muhammad Ali had a colorful love life. In fact, the boxing legend was married four times. He married his first wife, Sonji Roi, in 1964 but their happily ever after quickly ended after less than a year of marital bliss.
In 1967, Muhammad Ali married 17-year-old Belinda Boyd, who changed her name to Khalilah Camacho-Ali, after she converted to Islam after their wedding, Daily Mirror reveals.
The couple had four children: Maryum, Jamillah, Liban and Muhammad Ali Jr. However, their marriage also didn't last and eventually resulted in a divorce in 1976.
Just year after his 1976 divorce, Muhammad Ali found a new bride again, marrying Veronica Porsche in 1977. It was reported that their relationship started in 1974 when Porsche was 18 in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Ali and Porshe's marriage bore two daughters. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce in December 1986. On the same year, Muhammad Ali found and married his fourth and last wife, Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams.
Ali and Williams had been married since 1986. As for his children, Ali had nine children in total, including his professional boxer daughter, Laila.
Muhammad Ali's Net Worth
Muhammad Ali has reportedly collected a massive fortune from his long boxing career. Based on The Richest and Celebrity Net Worth's estimation, Ali accumulated $80 million as of 2012 and $50 million, respectively.
After his retirement, Muhammad Ali earned a large of fortune from his own company, GOAT LLC. There were also massive endorsement deals from Adidas and Electronic Arts and in February 2015, Under Armour made a deal to make an Ali-inspired line, International Business Times reports.
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