Muhammed Ali’s children have received their fair share of media attention as a result of their father’s legendary status. Muhammad Ali is a legendary boxer and one of the greatest athletes the world has witnessed. He was popular for his unconventional boxing style, courage, fighting speed, and unmatched charisma. Away from the boxing ring, he was known for his activism and philanthropy, as well as being a father to many children and a husband to several women.
Muhammad Ali's profile summary
Full name: Muhammad Ali Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
Popular name: Muhammad Ali
Date of birth: January 17, 1942
Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Nicknames: The Greatest, The People's Champion, and The Louisville Lip
Nationality: Bangladeshi-American
Ethnicity: Black
Religion: Islam
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Profession: Boxer and activist
Died: June 3, 2016
Age: 74 years (as of 2016)
Buried at: Cave Hill Cemetery & Arboretum, Louisville, Kentucky
Mother: Odessa O'Grady Clay
Father: Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr
Siblings: Rahman Ali
Marital status: Married
Spouse: Sonji Roi (1964–1966), Belinda Boyd (1967–1977), Veronica Porche (1977–1986), and Yolanda Williams (1986–2016)
Number of children: Nine
School attended: Louisville Central High School
Net worth: $80 million
Muhammad Ali's biography
Ali was an American professional boxer and activist, nicknamed "the Greatest". He is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time and one of the best sportspeople the world has ever seen. He held the heavyweight title from 1964 to 1970 and retired in 1981 after a successful boxing career. Ali was married to four women at different times in his life. In 1984, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome, and he died in June 2016. Since his death, there have been a lot of questions about Muhammad Ali's children and whether they are carrying on his legacy.
What was Muhammad Ali's childhood like?
Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. He was named after his father, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., who was a sign and billboard painter. His mother was Odessa O'Grady Clay, who worked as a domestic helper. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Rudolph "Rudy" Clay (later renamed Rahaman Ali), as a Baptist, and he attended Central High School in Louisville.
Ali was dyslexic and had difficulty reading and writing for much of his life. His childhood was marked by racial segregation.
Muhammad Ali’s sons and daughters
Muhammad Ali has two sons and seven daughters. He had two children out of wedlock and seven with his legitimate wives.
Ali had no child with his first wife, Sonji Roi, whom he married in 1964 and divorced about two years later. He had four children with Khalilah Camacho (Belinda Boyd), whom he married in 1967 and divorced in 1976. Ali got married to his third wife, Veronica Porsche, in 1977 and had children with her before they went their separate ways in 1986. The legendary boxer married Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams in the same year and remained with her until his death; they had one child through adoption.
Is Muhammad Ali's son a boxer?
No, Ali does not have a son who is a boxer.
What are Muhammad Ali's children's names and ages?
Muhammed Ali has two sons and seven daughters; their names are Muhammad Ali Jr., Assad, Jamillah, Rasheda, Maryum, Miya, Khaliah, Hana, and Laila.
Muhammad Ali’s sons
1. Muhammad Ali Jr.
Muhammad Ali Jr. is Muhammad Ali's eldest son, born to his second wife, Khalilah, on January 17, 1972. Ali Jr. is the only legitimate son of Muhammad Ali, but he did not have a good relationship with his dad, as stated during one of his public interviews in 2014. Ali Jr. resides in Chicago with his wife and two kids. He runs an anti-bullying charity that helps bullying victims. In 2023, he was featured in a documentary about his dad’s legacy titled "My Father Muhammad Ali".
2. Asaad Amin Ali
Assad Amin is Muhammad Ali's youngest child and second son, born on March 17, 1986. Ali and his last wife, Yolanda, adopted Assad when he was just five years old. Assad went to the University of Louisville, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He was a pro-baseball player, as he played for the Anaheim Angels in 2009 in Major League Baseball (MLB). According to reports, he currently works as an assistant coach and player scout for the Chicago White Sox.
Muhammad Ali’s daughters
1. Maryum Ali
Maryum was born on May 19, 1968, to Khalilah, Ali’s second wife. She started rapping in her early 20s, releasing an album called "The Introduction". After that album, she took a break from music to earn a degree in social work. She is a public speaker who advocates for justice and equality.
2. Jamillah Ali-Joyce
Jamillah Ali was born to Ali’s second wife, Khalilah, on August 17, 1970. Jamilah has a twin sister, Rasheda, who is also a girl. She attended the University of Illinois and is a businesswoman and author who provides insights about her father through books. She is famous for her philanthropic work, actively donating to the underprivileged Ephraim Bahar Cultural Center.
3. Rasheda Ali-Walsh
Rasheda is Jamillah’s twin sister, born on August 17, 1970, like her twin. She also attended the University of Illinois and holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication. She is also an author like her twin and a public speaker who creates awareness for Parkinson's disease, a disease her dad battled after he retired.
4. Miya Ali
Miya Ali was born on January 25, 1972, to Patricia Harvell and Ali. She was born out of wedlock, as Ali had a relationship with her mother. She was not aware of her father’s status until she was grown, as her mother raised her away from him. She attended Andrews University, where she earned a degree in marketing. She now works as a brand ambassador at Laila Ali Lifestyle, a company owned by her sister.
5. Khaliah Ali
Khaliah, Ali’s other child out of wedlock, was born on December 17, 1974, to Aisha Fletcher, who had a secret relationship with the former boxing champion. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son, Jacob, and is a renowned author, fashion designer, and public speaker. She has also appeared in several TV and radio shows.
6. Laila Ali
Laila Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter who is a boxer, was born on December 30, 1977. Laila is the only child who followed in her dad's footsteps and became a boxer. She fought for eight years, from 1999 to 2007, and was undefeated throughout her career. After retiring from boxing, she became an actor, writer, and philanthropist. She has appeared in TV series such as Scooby-Doo, The Masked Singer, and Guess Who?
7. Hana
Hana Ali was born on June 15, 1976, to Ali’s third wife, Veronica Porsche. Hana is a writer and photographer, and her books include her 2018 biography, "At Home with Muhammad Ali", covering the good and bad times experienced by her father. Hana lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Kevin Casey, a mixed martial artist.