The Four Women Who Defined 'The Greatest': A Look At Muhammad Ali's Wives And Their Current Lives

Muhammad Ali, famously known as "The Greatest," lived a life as complex and impactful outside the ring as it was inside. As of December 2025, the legacy of the legendary heavyweight boxer continues to be championed by his family, particularly the four women who were his wives. From a brief, tumultuous first marriage to a decades-long partnership that defined his later years, each woman played a crucial, distinct role in the life of Cassius Clay, the man who became Muhammad Ali. This article dives into the current lives and enduring influence of the four wives, offering a fresh, updated look at their individual contributions to the Ali family legacy and the world today.

The Wives of Muhammad Ali: A Complete Biographical Profile

Muhammad Ali was married four times and fathered nine children (seven daughters and two sons). His marriages spanned over four decades, each ending in divorce except for his final, enduring union with Lonnie Ali.

Here is a detailed look at the four women who stood by the global icon:

• First Wife: Sonji Roi
  • Birth Name: Sonji Roi
  • Marriage Dates: August 14, 1964 – January 10, 1966 (Divorced)
  • Children: None
  • Key Role: A cocktail waitress and model who met Ali (then Cassius Clay) just before his first title fight. Their marriage was short-lived, primarily because she refused to adopt the dress and customs required by the Nation of Islam, which Ali had recently joined.
  • Current Status: Sonji Roi passed away on October 11, 2005, at the age of 64.
• Second Wife: Khalilah Ali (Born Belinda Boyd)
  • Birth Name: Belinda Boyd
  • Marriage Dates: August 17, 1967 – 1976 (Divorced)
  • Children: Maryum, Rasheda, Jamillah, and Muhammad Ali Jr.
  • Key Role: She converted to Islam before their marriage and changed her name from Belinda Boyd to Khalilah Ali. She was instrumental in mentoring Ali during his spiritual journey and supported him through his forced hiatus from boxing after refusing the Vietnam draft.
  • Current Status: Highly active in 2024-2025. Now known as Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali, she is a speaker, author, and martial artist. She released a captivating memoir and gave an exclusive interview to *Las Vegas Black Image Magazine* in January 2024, discussing forgiveness and her life with the boxing legend.
• Third Wife: Veronica Porché Ali
  • Birth Name: Veronica Porché
  • Marriage Dates: 1977 – 1986 (Divorced)
  • Children: Hana Ali and Laila Ali
  • Key Role: She met Ali in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, during the "Rumble in the Jungle." A model and actress, she was Ali's partner during his second championship reign. Their daughter, Laila Ali, went on to become an undefeated professional boxer.
  • Current Status: She is a practicing psychologist. In recent years, her former Los Angeles mansion with Ali was listed for sale, highlighting her connection to the family's history in California. She maintains a strong bond with her daughters, Laila and Hana.
• Fourth Wife: Lonnie Ali (Born Yolanda Williams)
  • Birth Name: Yolanda Williams
  • Marriage Dates: November 19, 1986 – June 3, 2016 (Ali's Death)
  • Children: Asaad Amin (Adopted Son)
  • Key Role: A childhood friend from Louisville, Kentucky, Lonnie became his wife and, critically, his manager and caregiver as his battle with Parkinson's disease progressed. She is considered the ultimate guardian of the Muhammad Ali legacy.
  • Current Status: The most publicly active. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. In a major update, Lonnie Ali recently testified before a House committee, urging Congress to pass the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Reform Act to enhance boxer safety, a testament to her ongoing commitment to his values.

The Enduring Activism of Lonnie Ali and the Ali Center's Mission

The final and longest marriage of Muhammad Ali was to Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams, a partnership that lasted nearly 30 years until his death in 2016. Their relationship was a return to his roots in Louisville, Kentucky, where they had grown up as neighbors. Lonnie Ali's role evolved from wife to full-time manager and, most importantly, his primary caregiver as he faced the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease.

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Today, Lonnie Ali is the driving force behind the Muhammad Ali Center, a non-profit international cultural and educational institution founded in 2005. The Center is dedicated to preserving and promoting the six core principles that guided Ali’s life: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.

Her recent political engagement, including her testimony on Capitol Hill, demonstrates a commitment to the boxer's legacy as an activist and humanitarian. By advocating for the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Reform Act, she is ensuring that "The Greatest's" influence extends beyond the ring and into legislative action to protect athletes.

Khalilah Ali's Literary and Spiritual Journey in 2024

While Lonnie Ali manages the institutional legacy, Muhammad Ali's second wife, Khalilah Ali, has been sharing a more personal account of her life with the legend. Born Belinda Boyd, she converted to Islam and became Khalilah Ali, a crucial figure during the period when Ali's religious and political convictions were at their peak.

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In 2024, the release of her memoir and subsequent interviews have provided fresh, intimate details about their marriage, his conversion from Cassius Clay, and the early years of the Nation of Islam. Now a motivational speaker and recognized as Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali, her public appearances often focus on themes of resilience, faith, and her personal journey. Her recent presence at boxing events, including Claressa Shields' bouts, shows her continued connection to the sport that defined her former husband's life.

Laila Ali and Veronica Porché: The Boxing Dynasty Continues

Veronica Porché Ali's most prominent contribution to the Ali family is her daughter, Laila Ali. Laila Ali is a retired undefeated professional boxer, a true continuation of her father's prowess in the ring.

Veronica Porché, a psychologist by profession, met Ali during the build-up to the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" against George Foreman in Africa. Their marriage produced two daughters, Laila and Hana Ali. Hana, an author and speaker, has also written extensively about her father's final years, offering a moving perspective on his battle with Parkinson's.

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The story of Veronica Porché and Laila Ali is a powerful narrative of a daughter inheriting her father's talent and drive. While Veronica Porché has largely maintained a private life since their divorce, her connection to the family remains strong, particularly through her children who actively uphold the Ali name in the public eye.

The Collective Legacy: More Than Just Wives

The four marriages of Muhammad Ali—to Sonji Roi, Khalilah Ali, Veronica Porché, and Lonnie Ali—were not just chapters in a famous man's life; they were eras that shaped his identity. Sonji Roi's refusal to convert highlighted the new, uncompromising path Cassius Clay had chosen. Khalilah Ali was the spiritual and domestic anchor during his most controversial years. Veronica Porché was his partner during the glamorous height of his second comeback. And Lonnie Ali was the steadfast caregiver and, now, the chief custodian of his humanitarian legacy.

Their collective stories, updated in 2025 by Lonnie's political activism and Khalilah's recent memoir, paint a complete picture of a complex man whose life was inextricably linked to the strong, influential women who loved him. The Ali family legacy, including his nine children and the ongoing work of the Muhammad Ali Center, ensures that "The Greatest" remains an enduring global figure.