“That’s the Kind of Father He Is”: Daughter Reminisces What Muhammad Ali Did for His Children

In his personal life, Muhammad Ali, the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s first inductee, was a father to nine children. In his prime, he arguably had the fastest hands, fleetest feet, and the most rapid-firing mouth. But Muhammad Ali went beyond boxing. He thrilled millions with his skills inside the ring. But he became the harbinger of hope to millions who were oppressed, looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

So what did Muhammad Ali, as a father mean to his children? Perhaps an answer to one of the least-known facets of the last century’s greatest athlete is near at hand. Ali married waitress Sonji Roi in 1964, but two years later they went separate ways. He married Belinda Boyd on August 17, 1967. The couple became proud parents to four kids – Maryum ‘MayMay’, Jamillah, and Rasheeda, who were twins, and Muhammad Ali Jr. In the meantime, through a relationship with Wanda Bolton, and later Aaisha Ali, he became father to Khaliah. A relationship with Patricia Harvell resulted in him becoming a father to Miya.

Finally, in 1977, Muhammad Ali’s second marriage also ended in divorce and he married a third time. His wife was actress and model Veronica Porsche. Though the couple was to eventually separate in 1986, they had two daughters, Hana and the future world champion Laila Ali. The former world champion married his fourth wife Yolanda ‘Lonnie’ Williams on November 19, 1986. They had adopted a boy, Asad Amin.

When Muhammad Ali flew down for his daughter

Laila Ali, who followed in her father’s footsteps and became a world title holder, detailed vividly the relationship she shared with her famous parents in her book, Reach!: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power.

So this time, fans came across an anecdote about him as a father through another one of his daughters. Hana Ali, an author, who wrote the book, At Home with Muhammad Ali, narrated how upon coming across one of his daughter’s ordeal, Ali went out of his way to deal with it for good.

Shared by one of Muhammad Ali’s fan pages, @muhammadali_incc on Instagram, a video clip shows Hana Ali narrating an incident that happened to Marium (MayMay) Ali. She said, “She actually called my father in tears when she was 7 years old cause she’s so fair-skinned, she didn’t look like him, and he didn’t live with her mother. So, he….kids were teasing her, saying, you know, you don’t look like your dad. We never see him. We don’t believe you’re dad is Muhammad Ali.”

Ali immediately reached her school and requested an assembly when he learned about it. First, he told his daughter to point out the schoolmates who often made her the butt of their jokes. Once those kids came forward, Ali shook their hands, introduced himself, and said, “This is my daughter.“ Not done, after school, he even walked alongside his daughter on the street so that the entire neighborhood and passersby could see them together. 

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Hana Ali further stated, “That’s the kind of father he is, he goes above and beyond.” Undoubtedly, the people’s champion, loved and adored by millions across the globe, had a soft spot for his children. What is your favorite Muhammad Ali moment? Which is your favorite Muhammad Ali fight? Do let us know in the comments section below.

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