Muhammad Ali

From Louisville's West End to 'The Greatest'

sports entertainment
Muhammad Ali

Net Worth

$80M

Born

January 17, 1942 (died age 74)

Country

United States

Occupation

Professional Boxer, Activist

Gender

male

Generation

Silent Generation

Marital Status

married

Children

9

Single Parent Household

No

Education

High School

Industries

sports, entertainment

Wealth Category

multi-millionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Overcame

  • • Grew up in segregated Louisville, Kentucky
  • • Bicycle stolen at 12; told police he'd 'whup' the thief
  • • Stripped of title and banned from boxing for 3 years
  • • Fought legal battles that reached Supreme Court
  • • Lived with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years

Muhammad Ali was a professional boxer and cultural icon who transcended sports to become one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Born Cassius Clay, he won Olympic gold at 18, became heavyweight champion at 22, and then sacrificed the prime of his career by refusing to fight in Vietnam. His charisma, principles, and boxing brilliance made him 'The Greatest'—a title the world came to accept.

Career Timeline

1942

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky

1954 Age 12
Turning Point

Bicycle stolen; began boxing training at police gym

1960 Age 18
Achievement

Won Olympic gold medal in Rome

1960 Age 18
Milestone

Turned professional

1964 Age 22
Achievement

Defeated Sonny Liston; became heavyweight champion

1964 Age 22
Turning Point

Announced conversion to Islam; changed name to Muhammad Ali

1967 Age 25
Turning Point

Refused induction into military; stripped of title

1967 Age 25
Setback

Sentenced to 5 years in prison; free on appeal

1970 Age 28
Milestone

Supreme Court overturned conviction; boxing license restored

1971 Age 29
Setback

First fight with Joe Frazier; first professional loss

1974 Age 32
Achievement

Won heavyweight title back from George Foreman in Zaire

1975 Age 33
Achievement

Third Frazier fight 'Thrilla in Manila'; retired Frazier

1978 Age 36
Achievement

Lost title to Leon Spinks; regained it in rematch

1979 Age 37
Turning Point

Announced retirement

1980 Age 38
Setback

Came out of retirement; lost to Larry Holmes

1981 Age 39
Turning Point

Retired permanently after loss to Trevor Berbick

1984 Age 42
Setback

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease

1990 Age 48
Achievement

Inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame

1996 Age 54
Achievement

Lit Olympic cauldron in Atlanta

2005 Age 63
Achievement

Received Presidential Medal of Freedom

2016 Age 74
Setback

Died in Scottsdale, Arizona

Notable Quotes

"I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was."

— Interview, 1964

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. You can't hit what your eyes can't see."

— Interview, 1964

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want."

"Don't count the days. Make the days count."