George Foreman knew how to turn a knockout into a payday. But the two-time heavyweight champion’s most lucrative victory didn’t happen in the boxing ring. It happened in the kitchen, where a countertop grill helped transform a once-broke fighter into a multimillion-dollar business mogul.
The boxing legend’s longtime Texas estate has hit the market for $6 million. According to Realtor.com, the listing offers buyers a glimpse into the wealth Foreman built before his death in March 2025 at age 76.
Where Big George Lived
Located at 29310 Martelly Way in Huffman, northeast of Houston, the Mediterranean-style mansion sits on 13.49 acres. Foreman and his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, designed the 11,968-square-foot residence in 2001 after their growing family outgrew their home in Kingwood. They wanted more privacy. They also needed room for his expanding car collection.
Listed by Evan Compean of the Compean Group, the property features imported marble, European-style chandeliers, hardwood floors and three fireplaces. An enormous glass-ceiling atrium once hosted the wedding reception of Foreman’s daughter, Leola.
Foreman commissioned a climate-controlled garage of roughly 11,000 square feet. It can hold more than 50 vehicles. The building reflected his passion for luxury automobiles, a hobby that became far easier to finance after his business comeback.
The estate also includes two residential wings, multiple kitchens, a private gym, a library, a recording studio and an office where Foreman prepared his sermons.
One kitchen holds particular historical significance. Its custom island bears the initials “G.F.” It also served as the set for commercials promoting the George Foreman Grill.
That kitchen helped sell a product that eventually earned the former champion more than his boxing career ever did.
He won Olympic gold in 1968. In 1973, he knocked out Joe Frazier to claim the heavyweight title. His historic 1974 knockout loss to Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire — the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” — became one of the most famous fights in boxing history.
Foreman reportedly earned about $5 million during his first professional run. Lavish spending, financial mismanagement, and questionable investments nearly wiped it out. By the late 1980s, the former champion faced serious financial trouble.
He returned to the ring in 1987. Seven years later, he stunned the world. At 45, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
The comeback set up an even bigger payday.
The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine launched in the 1990s, and Foreman opted for a profit-sharing deal instead of a conventional endorsement fee. The arrangement allowed his earnings to grow as sales climbed. Infomercials showcasing his easygoing charm helped turn the appliance into a staple in American kitchens.
The gamble paid off. Manufacturer Salton Inc. agreed in 1999 to pay Foreman and his partners $137.5 million for perpetual rights to his name on cooking appliances. Foreman reportedly received roughly 75% of that deal.
His monthly royalties reportedly reached into the millions. Total earnings from the grill have been estimated at more than $200 million. More than 100 million units have sold worldwide.
The turnaround was staggering. Foreman went from financial ruin to an estimated $300 million fortune. His story proved that a celebrity’s most valuable asset might be intellectual property, not athletic performance.
His real estate reflected that rise, and the Huffman compound became its crown jewel.
The property also extends beyond the acreage currently advertised. An adjoining 14.79-acre parcel, sold separately, includes a fishing pond, a tennis court, a basketball court, and additional facilities. Together, the parcels span about 28 acres.
For prospective buyers, the mansion offers more than expensive finishes and extraordinary square footage. It represents the financial evolution of an athlete who learned that the biggest money wasn’t always earned throwing punches.
Foreman built his reputation with his fists. He built his fortune by putting his name on something millions of families could afford.
And now, the kitchen where that second empire came to life is part of a $6 million real estate offering.
