Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., earned himself the title of ‘The Greatest’ for his remarkable boxing career.
However, his personal life was just as captivating and often made headlines around the world.
Ali, who was not only a boxer but also an activist, poet, and philanthropist, was known for his way with words and his affinity for women.
Throughout his life, he was married four times, had numerous affairs, and fathered nine acknowledged children.
His second wife, Khalilah Ali, even referred to him as a ‘s** addict’ in Jonathan Eig’s biography, ‘Ali: A Life’.
Let’s delve deeper into the lives of Ali’s wives and their marriages to the legendary boxer.
Ali’s first wife was Sonji Roi, whom he divorced in 1966.
Sonji, a cocktail waitress, met Ali in 1964 and they got married soon after.
However, their marriage was short-lived due to intense arguments over Sonji’s refusal to convert to Islam.
Sonji did not feel comfortable adhering to the customs and traditions of the religion.
Although they did not have any children together, Sonji later remarried and had two sons from different relationships before passing away in 2005.
Following his divorce from Sonji, Ali married Belinda Boyd, who later changed her name to Khalilah Ali.
They tied the knot in 1967 and had four children together.
Khalilah first met Ali when she was just 10 years old at a mosque in her hometown.
In an interview, she recalled how Ali told her that she needed to keep her name because it would be worth a lot of money one day.
However, their marriage ended in 1977 due to Ali’s repeated infidelity.
Despite the divorce, Khalilah maintained a friendship with Ali until his death in 2016.
While still married to Khalilah, Ali began an extramarital relationship with a 16-year-old girl named Wanda Bolton, who later changed her name to Aaisha Ali.
They had a daughter together named Khaliah in 1974, although their marriage was not legally recognized.
Ali also had another extramarital affair with Patricia Harvell, resulting in the birth of their daughter, Miya.
In 1975, Ali started an affair with actress and model Veronica Porché, which led to the end of his second marriage.
They got married in 1977 and already had a daughter named Hana at the time.
Veronica was pregnant with their second child, Laila Ali, who would go on to become a professional boxer like her father.
However, their marriage ended in 1986 due to Ali’s infidelity.
Veronica forgave him, as she believed the encounters meant nothing to him and were merely one-night stands.
Ali’s final marriage was to Yolanda Williams, whom he had known since she was six years old.
They tied the knot in 1986, and Yolanda adopted the name Lonnie Ali.
The couple adopted a son named Asaad Amin in the same year.
Lonnie remained married to Ali until his passing in 2016.
To learn more about Muhammad Ali and his relationship with his former mentor Malcolm X, you can watch the upcoming Netflix documentary titled ‘Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali’, set to premiere on September 9.
Muhammad Ali’s life both inside and outside the boxing ring was filled with triumphs, controversies, and personal relationships that captivated the world.
His marriages, affairs, and children reflect the complexities of his character, making him a figure worth remembering for more than just his boxing achievements.
