Muhammad Ali got married four times while he lived, and among the women he married were Sonji Roi, Khalilah Camacho Ali, Veronica Porché, and Yolanda Lonnie Williams who remained with him until his death in 2016.
Muhammad Ali had a total of nine children- seven with three of his wives and two outside wedlock. There names are Muhammad Ali Jr., Laila Ali, Rasheda Ali, Maryum Ali, Hana Ali, Khaliah Ali, Jamillah Ali, Miya Ali, and Asaad Amin (adopted).
As the celebrity that he was, Muhammad Ali took very good care of his children, wives, and baby mamas. In this piece, we will find out how large Muhammad Ali’s family is; we will meet the wives he got married to, his baby mamas, and all the children he has. We’ll also find out how successful they are and if any of his children took after him.
Muhammad Ali Got Married Four Times
As we have mentioned earlier, Muhammad Ali got married four times when he was alive. This doesn’t mean that they all lived together. He lived with one of them at a time before getting married to a new wife after divorcing the previous one.
Who Are Muhammad Ali’s Wives?
1. Sonji Roi
- Full Name: Sonji Roi
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 23rd November 1945
- Date of Death: 11th October 2005
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Singer
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Sonji Roi’s Husband: Muhammad Ali (1964-1966), Reynold Glover
- Sonji Roi’s Children: 2 (none for Muhammad Ali)
- Famous for: The Mike Douglas Show (1961)
Sonji Roi is the first wife of the late heavyweight champion. She worked as a cocktail waitress at the time she met with Ali in July 1964. Just a month after their meeting, they got married on 14th August 1964. When they got married, Sonji was 23 years old while Muhammad was 22 years old. At that time, Muhammad Ali was not a Muslim and went by his birth name Cassius Marcellus Clay.
Two years after their marriage, they divorced. Reasons for their divorce bordered on religious requirements. Muhammad became a Muslim and wanted his wife to take up the practice of the religion but she declined. The marriage ended without a child and each went their separate ways.
2. Khalilah Camacho Ali (formerly called Belinda Boyd)
- Full Name: Khalilah Camacho Ali formerly Belinda Boyd
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 17th March 1950
- Khalilah Camacho Ali’s Age: 74 years old
- Religion: Islam
- Occupation: Actress
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Khalilah Camacho Ali’s Husband: Muhammad Ali (1967-1977)
- Khalilah Camacho Ali’s Children: 4 – Maryum “May May”, Jamillah, Rasheda, and Muhammad Ali Jr
- Khalilah Camacho Ali’s Instagram: dr.khalilahcamachoali
After his divorce from Sonji, Muhammad Ali ventured into another relationship the following year. He tied the knot with his second wife Belinda Boyd in 1967. Her family converted to the Nation of Islam, and she changed her name to Khalilah Camacho after converting to Islam. This was the kind of submissiveness the champion wanted from his wife. At the time of their marriage, Muhammad was 25 while Belinda was 17 years old.
Together, they had four children; Maryum (1968), Rashida and Jamillah (1970), and Muhammad Ali Jr. (1972). After giving birth to his last child with Belinda, Ali started having an extramarital affair in 1974. The union with Belinda ended with a divorce in 1977 and the two went their separate ways. The reason for the divorce was based on infidelity. Khalilah was fed up with Muhammad’s numerous infidelity cases and called it quits.
3. Veronica Porché
- Full Name: Veronica Porché
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 16th December 1955
- Veronica Porché’s Age: 68 years old
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actress, Model
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Veronica Porché’s Husband: Muhammad Ali (1967-1977)
- Veronica Porché’s Children: 2 daughters – Hana Yasmeen Ali and Laila Ali
- Veronica Porché’s Parents: Ethel and Horace Porché
Veronica was the third legal wife of the boxer. The duo met at The Rumble in the Jungle fight hosted in Zaire in 1974. They later started a relationship that produced a daughter, Hana tying the knot in 1977 in Los Angeles. After the marriage, the duo had their second daughter, Laila, in December 1977.
Again, this marriage was filled with cases of infidelity. Ali continued having affairs with many women like he has always done which left Porsche with no option but to divorce him. In 1986, the nine-year-old marriage was dissolved, and they went their separate ways.
4. Yolanda Lonnie Williams
- Full Name: Yolanda Lonnie Williams
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: American
- Religion: Islam (Formerly a Catholic)
- Occupation: Actress, Model
- Marital Status: Muhammad Ali’s Widow
- Yolanda Lonnie Williams’s Husband: Muhammad Ali
- Yolanda Lonnie Williams’s Children: 1 adopted son – Asaad Amin
- Yolanda Lonnie Williams’s Twitter: @LonnieAli_
Yolanda Lonnie Williams is the only wife of the late Muhammad Ali who stayed with him till the end. She met him for the first time when she was just 6 years old. Later in 1982, when she was assigned to be Ali’s caregiver, they began a relationship and then got married on 19th November 1986. The duo adopted a five-month-old son Asaad Amin that same year.
When they were together, Lonnie managed Ali’s health, financial and professional matters. For all the marriages Ali had, it was his marriage with Lonnie that lasted the longest. Maybe because he wasn’t active enough to draw ladies to himself and engage in extramarital affairs.
Meet Muhammad Ali’s Baby Mamas
Although Muhammad Ali was married many times, it did not prevent him from keeping several other women outside. His status and fame contributed immensely to these extra women and affairs. He had children with some of these women and took care of them. As to the reason why he never married his baby mamas, it was because he was always legally married to one wife. The law does not permit one to marry more than one wife at a time.
While still married to his second wife Belinda, Ali had two extramarital affairs that produced children. One with Wanda Bolton and the other with Patricia Harvell. In 1972, Muhammad had a daughter in an extramarital affair with Patricia Harvell. She gave birth to a baby girl Miya. The other affair with Wanda Bolton, who changed her name to Aaisha Ali during her relationship with him, gave Ali a daughter named Khaliah in 1974.
Ali later married Aaisha in a Muslim marriage ceremony while still legally married to Belinda. The marriage ceremony was not legally recognized and in January 1985, Aaisha sued for palimony which she later got.
Also, another woman Barbara Mensah has launched several claims of having had a relationship with Muhammad Ali and having a daughter Kiiursti Mensah-Ali for him. During the funeral ceremony of the great boxer, Kiiursti pleaded with the family to be allowed to mourn her father at the funeral.
How Many Are Muhammad Have?
The late heavyweight champion gave birth to a total of nine children in his lifetime. He never rejected any child when he was alive and sound. However, there are a few others who claimed that Ali was their father. One of the claims includes that of Kiiursti Mensah-Ali who claimed to be his daughter and begged to be allowed to mourn him at his funeral.
Another was that of Osmon Williams, who claimed to be Muhammad Ali’s son. Osmon’s claim was dismissed as Muhammad admitted that he had a relationship with his mother but denied fathering a child with her. Below is a comprehensive list of the nine children Muhammad Ali fathered and who their mothers are.
1. Maryum “May May”
- Full Name: Maryum “May May” Ali
- Nickname: May May
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 1968
- Maryum’s Age: 56 years old
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Islam
- Occupation: Social Worker, Public Speaker
- Maryum’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Belinda Boyd (Khalilah Ali)
- Maryum’s Net worth: $15 million
- Famous for: 60 Days In (A&E Network’s series)
- Maryum’s Instagram: maymayaliofficial
Maryum “May May” is the first child and first daughter of Muhammad Ali. She was born to him by his second wife Khalilah in 1968. Father and daughter had a good relationship and Maryum was proud of her father’s achievements while he was alive. She learned a lot of lessons from him.
Ali’s daughter listed some of the lessons as follows; how to watch the kinds of people you make friends with, how to be respectful and not allow men to take away your esteem, among many others. She was close enough to her father to see what Parkinson’s Disease did to him, and this shaped her future. Maryum became a spokesperson for The Parkinson’s Alliance just to spread awareness about the disease.
May May, as she is called, had a career in the entertainment industry. She was a stand-up comedian for 10 years and also rapped for a while before gaining a degree in social work. With her degree, she worked for the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development. Because of the kind of training she got from her father, Maryum worked hard to see that children are prevented from joining gangs.
Maryum was part of 60 Days In (A&E Network’s series), where she went into prison as an undercover agent to find out ways to improve the condition of the prison facilities. Currently, Muhammad Ali’s first daughter resides in California and works as a public speaker to the local youth to help tackle some issues concerning them.
2. Jamillah Ali
- Full Name: Jamillah Ali
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 1970
- Jamillah Ali’s Age: 54 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Education: University of Illinois
- Occupation: Actress, Socialist
- Marital Status: Married (2010)
- Jamillah Ali’s Husband: Micheal Joyce
- Jamillah Ali’s Children: 3 – Nadia, Amira, and Jake Joyce
- Jamillah Ali’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Belinda Boyd (Khalilah Ali)
- Jamillah’s Instagram: jamillahali1
Jamillah Ali is the second daughter of Muhammad Ali and Belinda. She was born in 1970, alongside her twin sister, Rasheda, and both are successful in their own rights. She studied Communications at the University of Illinois and works with the government of Illinois. Jamillah got married to a Christian in 2010 and their family is blessed with two girls and a boy.
Ali’s second daughter has worked for the State of Illinois under Illinois’ longest-serving Secretary of State, Jesse White. After rendering a satisfactory service, Secretary White acknowledged her effectiveness and work ethic by appointing her as the sole Illinois Secretary of State Employment Counselor in the City of Chicago. Like her older sister, Jamillah is dedicated to the service of humanity and has worked with many organizations to see that the less privileged are taken care of.
3. Rasheda Ali
- Full Name: Rasheda Ali
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 1970
- Rasheda Ali’s Age: 54 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Education: University of Illinois
- Occupation: Actress, Producer, Professional Speaker, Author
- Marital Status: Married (1997)
- Rasheda Ali’s Husband: Bob Walsh
- Rasheda Ali’s Children: 2 – Nico and Biaggio
- Rasheda Ali’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Belinda Boyd (Khalilah Ali)
- Rasheda’s Instagram: rashedaali1
Rasheda Ali is the twin sister to Jamillah Ali born in 1970. She is also as successful as her siblings in her endeavor. Rasheda is an actress, speaker, writer, and TV personality. She was born to Muhammad Ali by Khalilah Ali.
Rasheda made a name for herself through her self-crafted successful career. She owns a shoe brand called Encore and a boutique called B-Chic which are up and running and add to the sources of her wealth. One of her books titled I Will Hold Your Hands So You Won’t Fall: A Child Guide to Parkinson’s Disease was published in 2010 and earned her many readers across the world.
Rasheda got married to Bob Walsh in 1997 and they are blessed with two kids; Nico and Biaggio. Nico took after his grandfather and has continued the family legacy as a boxer. Biaggio is a footballer, and they all reside in Las Vegas.
4. Muhammad Ali Jr.
- Full Name: Muhammad Ali Junior
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: 1972
- Muhammad Ali Jr.’s Age: 52 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Religion: Islam
- Marital Status: Married
- Muhammad Ali Jr.’s Wife: Shaakira Ali
- Muhammad Ali Jr.’s Children: Ameera Ali and Shakera Ali
- Muhammad Ali Jr.’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Belinda Boyd (Khalilah Ali)
Muhammad Ali Jr is the first son born to Muhammad Ali by his second wife Khalilah Camacho Ali. He was born in 1972. He runs the Muhammad Ali Childhood Home Museum. He has always tried to make his father proud and has continued to preserve his legacy. He didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps because his father discouraged him from doing so.
Although he is not doing as well as his siblings, Ali Jr still finds a way to make ends meet for his family. Being the first son of the legend, much is expected of him by many, but he struggles to take care of his family and preserve his father’s legacy. Ali Jr. distanced himself from his father for a while before his death. He is married to Shakira Ali, and they have two children Ameera Ali and Shakera Ali.
5. Miya Ali
- Full Name: Miya Ali
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 1972
- Miya Ali’s Age: 52 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Education: Andrews University
- Occupation: Business Manager, Sales Expert
- Miya Ali’s Children: 1 – Mikey
- Miya Ali’s Parents: Muhammad Ai and Patricia Harvel
- Miya’s Instagram: miya_mia_ali
Muhammad Ali’s family kept growing with the birth of Miya in 1972. Her mother is Patricia Harvell, one of the baby mamas that Ali never married. She graduated from Andrews University and works as a business relationship expert and sales manager. She has worked in several managerial positions and still occupies one.
Miya was one of the closest to her father, so she learned a lot of morals and good behavior from him. She also loves and adores him. Miya learned how to do charitable deeds and helping of others from her dad. She has a son Mikey and a grandson Cassius who was born in 2018. However, there is no information about the father of her son.
6. Khaliah Ali Wertheimer
- Full Name: Khaliah Ali Wertheimer
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 1974
- Khaliah Ali Wertheimer’s Age: 50 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Education: Cornell University
- Occupation: Fashion Designer, Real Estate Agent, Author
- Marital Status: Married
- Khaliah Ali Wertheimer’s Husband: Spencer Wertheimer
- Khaliah Ali Wertheimer’s Children: Jacob Wertheimer
- Khaliah Ali Wertheimer’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Aaisha Ali
- Khaliah’s Instagram: khaliahali
Khaliah was born to the heavyweight champion by Aaisha Ali, one of the women who gave him a child without being legally married to him. However, Muhammad married Aaisha in a Muslim marriage ceremony and Khaliah was born in 1974 as the 6th child of the family. Khaliah got married to Spencer Wertheimer, and they have a son, Jacob Wertheimer. The family resides in Philadelphia.
She is a fashion designer, real estate agent, and author. As a kid, Khaliah spent quality time with her father as she recounts the memories of the little time they spent together. Her opinion of her father is a sweet memory filled with love and happiness. However, Khaliah once said that her father sees her as a mistake; nevertheless, she received a fair share of love and affection from him.
7. Hana Yasmeen Ali
- Full Name: Hana Yasmeen Ali
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 15th June 1976
- Hana Yasmeen Ali’s Age: 47 years old
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Occupation: Writer, Poet
- Marital Status: Married (2013)
- Hana Yasmeen Ali’s Husband: Kelvin Casey
- Hana Yasmeen Ali’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porche
- Hana’s Instagram: hanayali
Hana is the seventh child born to Mohammed Ali by his third wife Veronica Porche. She was born on 15th June 1976, a year before her parents got married. At nine years, her parents got divorced but it didn’t stop the children from getting close to their father, as Muhammad always wanted his children to be together.
Hana is a writer and poet. She wrote a memoir about her father titled More Than a Hero: Muhammed Ali’s Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter’s Eyes. She also helped him write his autobiography titled The Soul of a Butterfly, Reflections on Life’s Journey.
Hana married Kelvin Casey, a professional mixed martial artist in 2013. There is no information on whether Ali has Children with her husband or not.
8. Laila Amaria Ali
- Full Name: LaiLa Amaria Ali
- Nickname: Madame Butterfly, She Bee Stingin’, Pretty Baby
- Gender: Female
- Date of Birth: 30th December 1977
- Laila Amaria Ali’s Age: 46 years old
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
- Education: Santa Monica College, California
- Occupation: Retired Professional Boxer, Television Personality
- Marital Status: Married
- Laila Amaria Ali’s Husband: Curtis Conway
- Laila Amaria Ali’s Children: 2 – a boy and a girl
- Laila Amaria Ali’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porche
- Laila’s Instagram: thereallailaali
Laila is the second child born to Muhammad Ali by Veronica Porche. She was born on 30th December 1977, the same year her parents got married. Laila is the only child of the heavyweight champion who followed in his footsteps and became a boxer. For this reason, her father was not happy with her, as he detests seeing female boxers, let alone his daughter.
He says that boxing is dangerous for women. That notwithstanding, he was there for her daughter and sometimes went for her games. Laila is a retired professional boxer and TV personality. She flourished in her boxing career from 1999 to 2007. Out of the 24 fights she was fixed for, she won all of them and retired undefeated. She has married twice; her first marriage to Johnny Yahya McClain happened in 2000, and they got divorced in 2005.
In 2007, she married her current husband, Curtis Conway, a former NFL player. Their marriage is blessed with a son and daughter born in 2008 and 2011. Before Laila began boxing, she owned her nail salon where she practiced her skill as a manicurist (a skill she developed at the age of 16). She later left it for boxing.
9. Asaad Amin
- Full Name: Asaad Amin
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: 1986
- Asaad Amin’s Age: 38 years old
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual (Straight)
- Education: University of Louisville
- Occupation: Baseball Player and Coach, Multimedia Content Producer
- Marital Status: Married (2018)
- Asaad Amin’s Wife: Rachael McNulty
- Asaad Amin’s Children: 1 – Zoey
- Asaad’s Parents: Muhammad Ali and Yolanda Williams
- Asaad Amin’s Instagram: saadi_hendrix
Asaad Amin is Ali’s second son and 9th child. He was adopted in 1986 when he was 5 months old by Ali’s fourth wife, Yolanda Williams. Asaad has worked hard to make a name for himself. He is a baseball player and coach, and currently a multimedia content producer for the University of Louisville Athletics. He also loves other games like football and basketball.
Asaad married Rachael McNulty in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2018, and they have a kid, Zoey born in 2020. Like his other siblings, Asaad was given the opportunity to become whatever he wanted by his parents. He admits that he didn’t know of his father’s fame, and what he stood for until he grew up.
This means that he was trained like every of her kid and had to work hard for whatever he wanted. This made him humble and aware of the humanity in everyone, and he treated everyone with respect, like he learned from his father.