Editing Muhammad Ali (section)

==Personal life==
===Marriages and children===
{{hidden|style=float:right; clear:right; width:22em; margin-left:1em; border:1px #aaa solid;
|title=Children of Muhammad Ali
|content=
* With Belinda Boyd
** Maryum (born 1968)
** Jamillah (born 1970)
** Rasheda (born 1970)
** Muhammad Jr. (born 1972)
* With Patricia Harvell
** Miya (born 1972)
* With Wanda Bolton
** Khaliah (born 1974)
* With Veronica Porché
** Hana (born 1976)
** [[Laila Ali|Laila]] (born 1977)
* With Yolanda Williams
** Asaad (adopted 1986)
}}
Ali was married four times and had seven daughters and two sons. Ali was introduced to cocktail waitress Sonji Roi by [[Jabir Herbert Muhammad|Herbert Muhammad]], who was to become Ali's long-time manager, and asked her to marry him after their first date. They married approximately one month later on August 14, 1964.<ref>{{cite book |last=Micklos |first=John Jr. |title=Muhammad Ali: "I Am the Greatest" |url={{GBurl|id=wjeaQAmQ0FMC|p=54}} |year=2010 |publisher=[[Enslow Publishers]] |location=Berkeley Heights, NJ |isbn=978-0-7660-3381-8 |page=54}}</ref> They quarreled over Sonji's refusal to join the Nation of Islam.<ref name="Ali: A Life-2017">{{Cite web|url=http://www.alialife.com/press/2017/6/22/how-much-you-gonna-pay-me-asked-muhammad-alis-brother|title=Ep. 6: "How Much You Gonna Pay Me?" – Rahman Ali|website=Ali: A Life|date=July 3, 2017|access-date=October 27, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031020730/http://www.alialife.com/press/2017/6/22/how-much-you-gonna-pay-me-asked-muhammad-alis-brother|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Ali, "She wouldn't do what she was supposed to do. She wore lipstick; she went into bars; she dressed in clothes that were revealing and didn't look right."<ref>{{cite book |last=Hauser |first=Thomas |title=Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times |year=2012 |publisher=Open Road Integrated Media |isbn=978-1-4532-4119-6 |page=252}}</ref> The marriage was childless and they divorced on January 10, 1966. Just before the divorce was finalized, Ali sent Sonji a note: "You traded heaven for hell, baby."<ref>{{cite book |last=Hauser |first=Thomas |title=Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times |year=2012 |publisher=Open Road Integrated Media |isbn=978-1-4532-4119-6 |page=288}}</ref> Ali's brother Rahaman said that she was Ali's only true love and the Nation of Islam made Ali divorce her and Ali never got over it.<ref name="Ali: A Life-2017"/>

On August 17, 1967, Ali married 17-year-old [[Belinda Boyd]]. In an interview with NBC 6, Boyd recounted meeting Ali when she was 10 years old at her hometown mosque. Boyd stated Ali signed an autograph for her while humorously remarking on his future fame, saying, "Listen here little girl. This is my name. Imma be famous. You need to keep that 'cause it's gone be worth a lot of money." Boyd said, "You'll never be famous with that name. And, I walked away."<ref>{{cite web |title= The Secrets of Ali: Former Wife of Boxing Champ Tells All |url= https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/the-secrets-of-ali-former-wife-of-boxing-champ-tells-all/126869/ |website= nbcmiami.com |date= July 25, 2019 |language= en |access-date= November 6, 2022 |archive-date= November 6, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221106045338/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/the-secrets-of-ali-former-wife-of-boxing-champ-tells-all/126869/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Born into a Chicago family that had converted to the Nation Of Islam, she later changed her name to Khalilah Ali, though she was still called Belinda by old friends and family. They had four children: author and rapper Maryum<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 8, 2003 |title=Muhammad Ali's Daughter, May May Ali, Writes Children's Book About His Boxing Career |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L7QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]   |volume=104 |issue=24 |pages=38–39 |issn=0021-5996 |via=Google Books |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224050/https://books.google.com/books?id=L7QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> "May May" (born 1968); twins Jamillah and Rasheda (born 1970); and Muhammad Ali Jr. (born 1972).<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2014 |title=Muhammad Ali's son shut off from dad, living in poverty |url=https://nypost.com/2014/01/26/muhammad-alis-son-shut-off-dad-living-in-poverty-in-chicago/ |access-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120063302/https://nypost.com/2014/01/26/muhammad-alis-son-shut-off-dad-living-in-poverty-in-chicago/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rasheda married Robert Walsh and has two sons: Biaggio Ali (born 1998), who is an amateur [[MMA]] fighter, and [[Nico Ali Walsh|Nico Ali]] (born 2000), who is a professional boxer.<ref>{{cite news |title=For Muhammad Ali's grandson, family legacy extends beyond the ring |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/10/nico-ali-walsh-muhammad-ali-grandson/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210221337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/10/nico-ali-walsh-muhammad-ali-grandson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ali was a resident of [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey]] in suburban [[Philadelphia]] in the early 1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014057.html |title=Ali's camp now a bed and breakfast |work=ESPN |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209061407/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014057.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At age 31 in 1973, Ali began an extramarital relationship with 18-year-old Wanda Bolton (who subsequently changed her name to Aaisha Fletcher) with whom he fathered another daughter, Khaliah (born June 1974).<ref>{{cite web |title=Aaisha Fletcher States she's 54 in 2009 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/local/20091025_Charity_mission_to_commemorate_a_memorable_fight.html}}</ref> While still married to Belinda, Ali married Aaisha in an Islamic ceremony that was not legally recognized. According to Khaliah, Aaisha and her mother lived at Ali's Deer Lake training camp alongside Belinda and her children.<ref name="khalilah">{{cite news|title=Ali Daughter Tosses Book in Ring|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/ali-daughter-tosses-book-ring-article-1.906525|work=New York Daily News|first=George |last=Rush|author2=Joanna Molloy|author3=Lola Ogunnaike|author4=Kasia Anderson|date=March 18, 2001|access-date=October 15, 2016|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018225647/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/ali-daughter-tosses-book-ring-article-1.906525}}</ref> In January 1985, Aaisha sued Ali for unpaid palimony. The case was settled when Ali agreed to set up a $200,000 trust fund for Khaliah.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former three-time heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali agreed Tuesday ... |url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/01/28/Former-three-time-heavyweight-boxing-champion-Muhammad-Ali-agreed-Tuesday/9145507272400/ |work=UPI |date=January 28, 1986 |access-date=October 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019012949/http://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/01/28/Former-three-time-heavyweight-boxing-champion-Muhammad-Ali-agreed-Tuesday/9145507272400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2001 Khaliah was quoted as saying she believed her father viewed her as "a mistake".<ref name="khalilah" /> He had another daughter, Miya (born 1972), from an extramarital relationship with Patricia Harvell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-muhammed-ali |title=Muhammed Ali Biography (sic) |publisher=Lifetime |date=May 23, 2006 |access-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404103321/http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-muhammed-ali |archive-date=April 4, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Ali in Baltimore with Veronica 1977.jpg|thumb|Muhammad Ali with wife Veronica Porché at a fundraiser in Baltimore, 1977]]By the summer of 1977, his second marriage ended due to Ali's repeated infidelity, and he had married actress and model Veronica Porché.<ref name="Porché Ali">{{cite news |title=Muhammad Ali's ex-wife reveals details about their secret wedding |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/muhammad-alis-ex-wife-reveals-details-about-their-secret-wedding |work=USA Today |first=Josh |last=Peter |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005153523/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/muhammad-alis-ex-wife-reveals-details-about-their-secret-wedding |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of their marriage, they had a daughter, Hana, and Veronica was pregnant with their second child. Their second daughter, [[Laila Ali]], was born in December 1977, and went on to become a professional boxer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sandrarose.com/2008/03/laila-ali-expecting-a-baby|title=Laila Ali expecting a baby|date=March 26, 2008|publisher=Sandrarose.com|access-date=March 27, 2015|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507223720/https://sandrarose.com/2008/03/laila-ali-expecting-a-baby/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1986, Ali and Porché were divorced due to Ali's continuous infidelity. Porché said of Ali's infidelity, "It was too much temptation for him, with women who threw themselves at him. It didn't mean anything. He didn't have affairs – he had one-night stands. I knew beyond a doubt there were no feelings involved. It was so obvious, It was easy to forgive him."<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Muhammad Ali's Ex-Wives Forgave His Infidelity: Cheating 'Never Meant Anything to Him' |first=Kurt |last=Pitzer |url=https://people.com/sports/muhammad-alis-ex-wives-forgave-his-infidelity/ |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |website=People |language=EN |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030232450/https://people.com/sports/muhammad-alis-ex-wives-forgave-his-infidelity/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 19, 1986, Ali married Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams. Lonnie first met Ali at the age of 6 when her family moved to Louisville in 1963.<ref name="Crouse-2016">{{Cite news|last=Crouse|first=Karen|date=June 9, 2016|title=Muhammad Ali Was Her First, and Greatest, Love|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/10/sports/muhammad-ali-wife-lonnie-ali.html|access-date=June 3, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603012222/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/10/sports/muhammad-ali-wife-lonnie-ali.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1982, she became Ali's primary caregiver and in return, he paid for her to attend graduate school at [[UCLA]].<ref name="Crouse-2016" /> Together they adopted a son, Asaad Amin (born 1986), when Asaad was five months old.<ref>Allen, Nick (June 5, 2016), [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/05/could-muhammad-alis-80m-fortune-become-subject-of-bitter-legal-b/ "Could Muhammad Ali's $80m fortune become subject of bitter legal battle?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620043638/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/05/could-muhammad-alis-80m-fortune-become-subject-of-bitter-legal-b/ |date=June 20, 2018 }}, ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref> In 1992, Lonnie incorporated Greatest of All Time, Inc. (G.O.A.T. Inc) to consolidate and license his [[intellectual properties]] for commercial purposes. She served as the vice president and treasurer until the sale of the company in 2006.<ref name="Crouse-2016" />

[[File:Muhammad Ali and wife Lonnie.jpg|left|thumb|Ali with wife Lonnie in Washington, D.C., 2001]]
Ali then lived in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]] with Lonnie.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/02/04/Brother-Muhammad-Alis-health-failing/UPI-72601359961200/ |work=United Press International |title=Brother: Muhammad Ali's health failing |access-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813104029/http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/02/04/Brother-Muhammad-Alis-health-failing/UPI-72601359961200/ |archive-date=August 13, 2014}}</ref> In January 2007, it was reported that they had put their home in [[Berrien Springs, Michigan]], which they had bought in 1975,<ref>{{cite news |first=Dale |last=Brewer |title=When Ali was King |url=https://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/when-ali-was-king/article_b2f9f7b8-6988-57e1-a73f-78c2fdf67312.html |work=[[The Herald-Palladium]] |date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916123936/https://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/when-ali-was-king/article_b2f9f7b8-6988-57e1-a73f-78c2fdf67312.html |url-status=live }}</ref> up for sale and had purchased a home in eastern [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]] for $1,875,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shafer |first=Sheldon S. |title=Ali coming home, buys house in Jefferson County |newspaper=The Courier-Journal |date=January 25, 2007 |url=http://www.greaterlouisville.com/content/community/FYI/pdf/files/ali%20will%20return%20home,%20buys%20louisville%20house.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325161651/http://www.greaterlouisville.com/content/community/FYI/pdf/files/ali%20will%20return%20home,%20buys%20louisville%20house.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2007 }}</ref> Both homes were subsequently sold after Ali's death with Lonnie living in their remaining home in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Lonnie converted to Islam from Catholicism in her late twenties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheridan |first=Patricia |date=December 3, 2007 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07337/838655-129.stm |title=Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Lonnie Ali |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118060129/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07337/838655-129.stm |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |access-date=January 7, 2024 }}</ref>

Ali's daughter Laila was a professional boxer from 1999 until 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womenboxing.com/lailaali.htm |title=Laila Ali |publisher=Womenboxing.com |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023004825/http://www.womenboxing.com/lailaali.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> despite her father's previous opposition to women's boxing. In 1978, he said "Women are not made to be hit in the breast, and face like that."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womenboxing.com/ali.htm |title=Boxing- Muhammad Ali |publisher=Womenboxing.com |date=June 8, 2001 |access-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227065349/http://www.womenboxing.com/ali.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali still attended a number of his daughter's fights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/12/sports/othersports/laila-ali-with-her-father-watching-stays-undefeated.html |title=Laila Ali, With Her Father Watching, Stays Undefeated |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 12, 2005 |access-date=May 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527030905/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/12/sports/othersports/laila-ali-with-her-father-watching-stays-undefeated.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali's daughter Hana is married to [[Bellator MMA|Bellator]] [[Middleweight (MMA)|middleweight]] fighter [[Kevin Casey (fighter)|Kevin Casey]]. Hana wrote about her father, "His love for people was extraordinary. I would get home from school to find homeless families sleeping in our guest room. He'd see them on the street, pile them into his Rolls-Royce and bring them home. He'd buy them clothes, take them to hotels and pay the bills for months in advance." She also said celebrities like [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Clint Eastwood]] would often visit Ali.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cepeda |first=Elias |url=http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/kevin-casey-will-fight-at-ufc-199-despite-passing-of-legendary-father-in-law-muhammad-ali-060416 |title=Kevin Casey will fight at UFC 199 despite passing of father-in-law Muhammad Ali |work=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606095809/http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/kevin-casey-will-fight-at-ufc-199-despite-passing-of-legendary-father-in-law-muhammad-ali-060416 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohammed |first=Sagal |date=September 2, 2018 |title=My dad, the greatest: Hana Ali recalls the crushing heartache that would haunt her father his whole life |url=https://www.you.co.uk/hana-ali-my-dad-the-greatest/ |access-date=October 11, 2020 |website=You Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011190231/https://www.you.co.uk/hana-ali-my-dad-the-greatest/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Paternity claims====
Kiiursti Mensah-Ali claims she is Ali's biological daughter with Barbara Mensah, with whom he allegedly had a 20-year relationship,<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Muhammad Ali confesses illness put a stop to his 'girl chasing,' but his son is just starting. |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |via=Google Books |access-date=March 14, 2017 |date=January 27, 1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32 |volume=91 |number=10 |pages=32–33  |issn=0021-5996 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224051/https://books.google.com/books?id=LjsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Davis |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930912/1720560/still-larger-than-life----to-millions-muhammad-ali-will-always-be-the-champ |title=Still Larger Than Life – To Millions, Muhammad Ali Will Always Be The Champ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 3, 2021 |date=September 12, 1993 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610105241/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930912 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mzTW9Nitee4C |title=Entertainment Celebrities |first=Norbert B. |last=Laufenberg |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2005 |access-date=December 5, 2010 |isbn=978-1-4120-5335-8 |page=9 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224604/https://books.google.com/books?id=mzTW9Nitee4C |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090611&content_id=5270622&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Angels draft boxing legend Ali's son |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082741/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090611&content_id=5270622&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=live }}</ref> citing photographs and a paternity test conducted in 1988. She said he accepted responsibility and took care of her, but all contacts with him were cut off after he married his fourth wife Lonnie. Kiiursti says she has a relationship with his other children. After his death she again made passionate appeals to be allowed to mourn at his funeral.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bucktin |first=Christopher |title=Muhammad Ali's secret daughter begs to see boxing legend one more time 'before he dies' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/muhammad-alis-secret-daughter-begs-4256662 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=September 13, 2014 |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605081930/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/muhammad-alis-secret-daughter-begs-4256662 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://omgvoice.com/news/kiiursti-mensah-ali/ |title=6 Facts About Kiiursti Mensah Ali, Muhammed Ali's Ghanaian Daughter You Need To Know (''sic'') |author=Ofori-Mensah |publisher=omgvoice.com |date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606123844/http://omgvoice.com/news/kiiursti-mensah-ali/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Peter |last2=Allen |first2=Nick |title=Muhammad Ali's tangled love life leaves troubled legacy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/04/muhammad-alis-tangled-love-life-leaves-troubled-legacy/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/04/muhammad-alis-tangled-love-life-leaves-troubled-legacy/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2010, Osmon Williams came forward claiming to be Ali's biological son.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ali's alleged lovechild talks to tabloids |url=http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/157579/Ali-s-alleged-lovechild-talks-to-tabloids |work=[[The Daily Express]] |date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=October 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019012508/http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/157579/Ali-s-alleged-lovechild-talks-to-tabloids |url-status=live }}</ref> His mother Temica Williams (also known as Rebecca Holloway) launched a $3&nbsp;million lawsuit against Ali in 1981 for sexual assault, claiming that she had started a sexual relationship with him when she was 12, and that her son Osmon (born 1977) was fathered by Ali when she was 17.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/04/24/An-18-year-old-woman-has-filed-suit-seeking-3-million/3454356936400/ |work=United Press International |title=An 18-year-old woman has filed suit seeking $3 million ... |access-date=May 27, 2018 |date=April 24, 1981 |archive-date=May 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528052011/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/04/24/An-18-year-old-woman-has-filed-suit-seeking-3-million/3454356936400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She further alleged that Ali had originally supported her and her son financially, but stopped doing so after four years. The case went on until 1986 and was eventually thrown out as her allegations were deemed to be barred by the [[statute of limitations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allcourtdata.com/law/case/williams-v-ali/cw3BaicI?page=1 |website=All Court Data |title=''Temica Williams a/k/a Rebecca Jean Holloway, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Muhammad Ali, Defendant-Appellee'' |access-date=October 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000108/http://www.allcourtdata.com/law/case/williams-v-ali/cw3BaicI?page=1 }}</ref> According to Veronica, Ali admitted to the affair with Williams, but did not believe Osmon was his son which Veronica supported by saying "Everybody in the camp was going with that girl."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eig |first=Jonathan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JzjeDQAAQBAJ&q=veronica%2Beveryone%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcamp%2Bgirl%2Bveronica%2Btemica%2Bali&pg=PR55 |title=Ali: A Life: Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2017 |date=2017 |publisher=Simon & Schuster UK |isbn=978-1-4711-5596-3 |language=en |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724230538/https://books.google.com/books?id=JzjeDQAAQBAJ&pg=PR55&q=veronica%2Beveryone%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcamp%2Bgirl%2Bveronica%2Btemica%2Bali |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Eig |first=Jonathan |year=2017 |title=Ali: A Life |location=London |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1-4711-5593-2 |oclc=968294310 |page=416}}</ref> Ali's biographer and friend [[Thomas Hauser]] has said this claim was of "questionable veracity".<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 2017 |title='Ali: A Life': A biography that's not The Greatest – The Ring |language=en-US |work=The Ring |url=https://www.ringtv.com/518783-ali-life-biography-thats-not-greatest/ |access-date=September 6, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517164140/https://www.ringtv.com/518783-ali-life-biography-thats-not-greatest/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion and beliefs===
{{Main|Religious views of Muhammad Ali}}

====Affiliation with the Nation of Islam====
Ali said that he first heard of the [[Nation of Islam]] when he was fighting in the Golden Gloves tournament in Chicago in 1959 and attended his first Nation of Islam meeting in 1961. He continued to attend meetings, although he kept his involvement hidden from the public. In 1962, Clay met [[Malcolm X]], who soon became his spiritual and political mentor.<ref name="Guardian Mitchell">{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |title=From the Vietnam war to Islam – the key chapters in Ali's life |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/04/muhammad-ali-key-chapters |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190150/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/04/muhammad-ali-key-chapters |url-status=live }}</ref> By the time of the first Liston fight, Nation of Islam members, including Malcolm X, were visible in his entourage. This led to a story in ''[[The Miami Herald]]'' just before the fight disclosing that Clay had joined the Nation of Islam, which nearly caused the bout to be canceled. The article quoted Cassius Clay Sr. as saying that his son had joined the [[African-American Muslims|Black Muslims]] when he was 18.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19640207&id=XF4bAAAAIBAJ&pg=5091,2145696 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |title=Muslim Charge Clams Up Clay |date=February 7, 1964 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828083315/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19640207&id=XF4bAAAAIBAJ&pg=5091%2C2145696 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Elijah Muhammad and Cassius Clay NYWTS.jpg|thumb|left|Ali (seen in background) at an address by [[Elijah Muhammad]] in 1964]]
In fact, Clay was initially refused entry to the Nation of Islam (often called the Black [[Muslim]]s at the time) due to his boxing career. However, after he won the championship from Liston in 1964, the Nation of Islam was more receptive and agreed to publicize his membership.<ref name="Guardian Mitchell" /> Shortly afterwards on March 6, Elijah Muhammad gave a radio address that Clay would be renamed [[Muhammad]] (one who is worthy of praise) [[Ali (name)|Ali]] (most high).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014063.html |title=He is simply ... The Greatest |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |work=ESPN |access-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813160258/http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014063.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Around that time Ali moved to the south side of Chicago and lived in a series of houses, always near the Nation of Islam's [[Mosque Maryam]] or Elijah Muhammad's residence. He stayed in Chicago for about 12 years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Neil |date=June 4, 2016 |title=For a time, Ali called Chicago home |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/steinberg-for-a-time-ali-called-chicago-home |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605203256/http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/steinberg-for-a-time-ali-called-chicago-home/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Only a few journalists, most notably Howard Cosell, accepted the new name at that time. Ali stated that his earlier name was a "[[slave name]]" and a "white man's name" and added that "I didn't choose it and I don't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name".<ref name="Name origin">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014mvdx |title=History website, Muhammad Ali: "Cassius Clay is my slave name" |publisher=BBC |access-date=July 2, 2013 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628071251/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014mvdx |url-status=live }}</ref> The person he was formerly named after was [[Cassius Marcellus Clay (politician)|a white slave owner turned abolitionist]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yale.edu/2016/06/09/muhammad-ali-originally-named-ardent-abolitionist-and-yale-alumnus-cassius-clay |title=Muhammad Ali originally named for ardent abolitionist and Yale alumnus Cassius Clay |work=Yale News |first=Susan |last=Gonzalez |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214192245/https://news.yale.edu/2016/06/09/muhammad-ali-originally-named-ardent-abolitionist-and-yale-alumnus-cassius-clay |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali explained in his autobiography after studying his works, "he may have gotten rid of his slaves, but (he) held on to white supremacy."<ref name="Heritage">{{Cite web |title=Heritage of a Heavyweight |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/10/25/specials/ali-heritage.html?_r=1 |access-date=September 27, 2020 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615135238/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/10/25/specials/ali-heritage.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali concluded: "Why should I keep my white slavemaster's name visible and my black ancestors invisible, unknown, unhonored?"<ref name="Name origin"/>

Not afraid to antagonize the white establishment, Ali stated, "I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me."<ref>{{cite news |title='I am America': Muhammad Ali's fight for civil rights |url=http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/06/05/06/23/muhammad-ali-s-other-fight-for-civil-rights |access-date=June 4, 2016 |agency=Agence France-Presse |work=9News |location=Australia |date=June 5, 2016 |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605101019/http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/06/05/06/23/muhammad-ali-s-other-fight-for-civil-rights |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali's friendship with Malcolm X ended as Malcolm split with the Nation of Islam a couple of weeks after Ali joined, and Ali remained with the Nation of Islam.<ref name=Times64-03-09>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F07E6DA1230E033A2575AC0A9659C946591D6CF |title=Malcolm X Splits with Muhammad |access-date=August 1, 2008 |last=Handler |first=M. S. |date=March 9, 1964 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720070810/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F07E6DA1230E033A2575AC0A9659C946591D6CF |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="National Review Feb 2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/articles/431161/champ-and-mr-x |title=The Champ and Mr. X |work=National Review |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201205952/https://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/articles/431161/champ-and-mr-x |url-status=live }}</ref> Ali later said that turning his back on Malcolm was one of the mistakes he regretted most in his life.<ref name="Soul of a Butterfly">{{cite book |last1=Ali |first1=Muhammad |last2=Ali |first2=Hana Yasmeen |title=The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey |year=2004 |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |isbn=978-0-7432-6286-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h6G-Cy5c0GgC |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224605/https://books.google.com/books?id=h6G-Cy5c0GgC |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aligning himself with the Nation of Islam, its leader [[Elijah Muhammad]], and a narrative that labeled the white race as the perpetrator of genocide against African Americans made Ali a target of public condemnation. The Nation of Islam was widely viewed by whites and some African Americans as a black separatist "hate religion" with a propensity toward violence; Ali had few qualms about using his influential voice to speak Nation of Islam doctrine.<ref name="thegrio.com">{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Courtney |url=http://thegrio.com/2013/09/06/trials-of-muhammad-ali-highlights-boxers-anti-war-opposition/ |title='Trials of Muhammad Ali' highlights boxer's anti-war opposition |publisher=theGrio |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193949/http://thegrio.com/2013/09/06/trials-of-muhammad-ali-highlights-boxers-anti-war-opposition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a press conference articulating his opposition to the Vietnam War, Ali stated, "My enemy is the white people, not Vietcong or Chinese or Japanese."<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/08/31/the-trials-of-a-chicago-director-making-muhammad-ali-doc/ |title=The trials of a Chicago director making Muhammad Ali doc |website=Chicago Tribune |first=Nina |last=Metz |date=August 31, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723020015/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-31/entertainment/ct-ae-0901-fall-movie-profile-20130831_1_muhammad-ali-opposer-chicago-director |url-status=live }}</ref>

Writer [[Jerry Izenberg]] once noted that, "the Nation became Ali's family and Elijah Muhammad became his father. But there is an irony to the fact that while the Nation branded white people as devils, Ali had more white colleagues than most African American people did at that time in America, and continued to have them throughout his career."<ref name="Hauser 2004" />

====Conversion to Sunni Islam====
In Hauser's biography ''Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times'', Ali stated that he was not a Christian as he thought the idea of God having a son sounded wrong and did not make sense to him, stating, "God don't beget; man begets". However, he still believed that even good Christians or good Jews could receive God's blessing and enter heaven as he stated, "God created all people, no matter what their religion". He also stated, "If you're against someone because he's a Muslim that's wrong. If you're against someone because he's a Christian or a Jew, that's wrong".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hauser |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6aaV0p8jaeUC&q=beget |title=Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times |year=1992 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-77971-9 |language=en |access-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224606/https://books.google.com/books?id=6aaV0p8jaeUC&q=beget#v=snippet&q=beget&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION MUHAMMAD ALI, A BLACK MUSLIM, ATTENDS THE SECT'S SERVICE TO HEAR ELIJAH MUHAMMAD... - NARA - 556247.jpg|thumb|Ali attending a [[Saviours' Day]] celebration in 1974]]

In a 2004 autobiography, Ali attributed his conversion to mainstream [[Sunni Islam]] to [[Warith Deen Muhammad]], who assumed leadership of the Nation of Islam upon the death of his father Elijah Muhammad and persuaded the Nation's followers to become adherents of Sunni Islam. He said some people did not like the change and stuck to Elijah's teachings, but he admired it, and so left Elijah's teachings and became a follower of Sunni Islam.<ref name = "Soul of a Butterfly 85">{{cite book |title=The Soul of a Butterfly |first1=Muhammad |last1=Ali |first2=Hana Yasmeen |last2=Ali |publisher=Simon & Schuster |page=85 |year=2013}}</ref>

Ali had gone on the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to [[Mecca]] in 1972, which inspired him in a similar manner to Malcolm X, meeting people of different colors from all over the world giving him a different outlook and greater [[Spirituality|spiritual]] awareness.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.emel.com/article?id=109&a_id=1722&c=32 |title=Muhammed Ali's Pilgrimage to Makkah (''sic'') |magazine=[[Emel (magazine)|Emel]] |issue=17 |date=February 2006 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914052923/http://www.emel.com/article?id=109&a_id=1722&c=32 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1977, he said that, after he retired, he would dedicate the rest of his life to getting "ready to meet God" by helping people, charitable causes, uniting people and helping to make peace.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mashable.com/2016/06/04/muhammad-ali-retirement-video/ |title=Muhammad Ali had a thought-provoking response when asked about his retirement plans |website=[[Mashable]] |last=Bryan |first=Chloe |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910021714/http://mashable.com/2016/06/04/muhammad-ali-retirement-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He went on another Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in 1988.<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite news |last=Rajeev |first=K R |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Muhammad-Alis-visit-was-Kozhikodes-knockout-moment/articleshow/52597630.cms |title=Muhammad Ali's visit was Kozhikode's knockout moment |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610005305/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Muhammad-Alis-visit-was-Kozhikodes-knockout-moment/articleshow/52597630.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, he stated that "Islam is a [[religion of peace]]" and "does not promote [[terrorism]] or killing people", and that he was "angry that the world sees a certain group of Islam followers who caused this destruction, but they are not real Muslims. They are [[Extremism|racist fanatics]] who call themselves Muslims." In December 2015, after the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]], he stated that "True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic [[jihadists]] goes against the very tenets of our religion", that "We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda", and that "political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam, and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/muhammad-ali-face-real-islam-160606040559103.html |title=Muhammad Ali: The face of 'real Islam' |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217133837/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/muhammad-ali-face-real-islam-160606040559103.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He also developed an interest in [[Sufism]], which he referenced in his autobiography, ''[[The Soul of a Butterfly]]''.<ref name="Soul of a Butterfly" /><ref name="CNN Lane 2016">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/28/sport/muhammad-ali-five-things-boxing/ |title=Muhammad Ali: Five things you never knew about the boxing legend |work=CNN |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119182246/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/28/sport/muhammad-ali-five-things-boxing/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Telegraph March 2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2016/03/02/family-faith-and-magic-tricks-my-40-year-friendship-with-muhamma/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2016/03/02/family-faith-and-magic-tricks-my-40-year-friendship-with-muhamma/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Family, faith and magic tricks: My 40-year friendship with Muhammad Ali |work=The Telegraph |date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Ali's daughter, Hana Yasmeen Ali, who co-authored ''The Soul of a Butterfly'' with him, Ali was attracted to Sufism after reading the books of [[Inayat Khan]], which contain Sufi teachings.<ref name="On Being June 2016">{{cite news |url=http://www.onbeing.org/blog/omid-safi-muhammad-ali-unapologetically-black-unapologetically-muslim/8735 |title=Muhammad Ali: Unapologetically Black, Unapologetically Muslim |work=[[On Being]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220165249/http://www.onbeing.org/blog/omid-safi-muhammad-ali-unapologetically-black-unapologetically-muslim/8735 }}</ref><ref name="Beliefnet Hana Yasmeen Ali interview">{{cite news |url=http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/islam/2005/02/muhammad-alis-new-spiritual-quest.aspx? |title=Muhammad Ali's New Spiritual Quest |work=[[Beliefnet]] |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230116/http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/islam/2005/02/muhammad-alis-new-spiritual-quest.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Muhammad Ali received guidance from Islamic scholars such as [[Grand Mufti of Syria]] Al Marhum Al Sheikh [[Ahmed Kuftaro]], [[Hisham Kabbani]], Imam [[Zaid Shakir]], [[Hamza Yusuf]], and Timothy J. Gianotti, who planned his funeral.<ref name="Timothy Gianotti - The Imam whose on Muhammad Ali's last days and funeral">{{cite news |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/studies-in-islam/people-profiles/timothy-gianotti-0 |title=Timothy Gianotti – The Imam whose on Muhammad Ali's last days and funeral |work=[[On Being]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927115036/https://uwaterloo.ca/studies-in-islam/people-profiles/timothy-gianotti-0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Prof. Gianotti plans Muhammad Ali's funeral and memorial service">{{cite news |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/studies-in-islam/news/prof-gianotti-plans-muhammad-alis-funeral-and-memorial |title=Prof. Gianotti plans Muhammad Ali's funeral and memorial service |work=[[On Being]] |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927114950/https://uwaterloo.ca/studies-in-islam/news/prof-gianotti-plans-muhammad-alis-funeral-and-memorial |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Health===
During his amateur career, Ali refrained from smoking, drugs, and drinking alcohol and soda pop, and adopted an idiosyncratic diet.<ref>{{cite book|last=Remnick|first=David|title=King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero|date=2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkvoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93|page=93|isbn=9780804173629|publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004012/https://books.google.com/books?id=vkvoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon his acceptance of the dietary restrictions of Islam, the Nation of Islam recruited cooks to prepare his meals.<ref>{{cite book|last=Remnick|first=David|title=King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero|date=2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkvoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA135|page=135|isbn=9780804173629|publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523004014/https://books.google.com/books?id=vkvoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA135#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>