Nearly nineteen months after the passing of legendary two-time world heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, and global entrepreneur George Foreman, his family has officially placed a substantial portion of his custom-built Texas compound on the market. Situated in the unincorporated town of Huffman, roughly 35 miles northeast of Houston within the Commons at Lake Houston community, the sprawling estate captures the multifaceted life of a sporting icon who successfully transitioned from the boxing ring to becoming a household media personality and full-time minister.
The primary offering, priced at $6 million, encompasses a 13.5-acre parcel anchored by a magnificent roughly 12,000-square-foot single-level Mediterranean residence. For prospective buyers looking to expand the compound further, an additional 14.8 adjacent acres are available for separate purchase, bringing a wealth of recreational amenities into play, including professional-grade tennis and basketball courts, as well as a tranquil wooded pond where Foreman famously taught his grandchildren how to fish. Evan Compean of the Compean Group holds the high-profile listing.
Constructed in the early 2000s during a period when Foreman was cementing his legacy as a massive global entrepreneur and spiritual leader following his final retirement from boxing, the home was a labor of love. Designed meticulously over a two-year period by Foreman and his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, the sprawling residence was engineered to accommodate both grand-scale entertaining and quiet, private family life.
At the architectural heart of the single-level home sits a soaring steel-and-glass central atrium that flows seamlessly into a ballroom-style living space. This expansive area served as the backdrop for countless family gatherings and milestone celebrations over the years. Among the most cherished family memories tied to the space was a wedding reception hosted for Foreman’s daughter, Leola.
The interior layout features five bedrooms and nine bathrooms, each appointed with distinctive custom touches. A formal dining room, anchored by an ornate European-style crystal chandelier, provides an elegant setting for formal dinners. Daily domestic life and commercial ventures alike were supported by two fully equipped kitchens. One of these culinary spaces holds a unique place in pop culture history: it was custom-designed with Foreman’s cursive “G.F.” initials and served as the actual filming location for the iconic infomercials and commercials that launched the immensely successful George Foreman Grill into millions of homes worldwide.
Adjoining the main living quarters is a private home studio where Foreman recorded his weekly sermons and dedicated time to his ministry following his retirement from professional sports. Other interior highlights include a multi-purpose game room equipped with a fully functional wet bar, designed for leisure and casual entertaining. The residence also features a dedicated home gym complete with a striking wall of custom stained-glass windows showcasing intricate animal motifs. Glass display cases integrated into the fitness space once housed the boxing legend’s extensive collection of championship memorabilia, prestigious awards, and career trophies.
Specialized amenities were thoughtfully integrated throughout the estate to cater to the family’s specific preferences. Mary Joan Foreman enjoyed a standalone hair salon built specifically for her convenience, as well as a dedicated, climate-controlled storage room engineered precisely to preserve fine fur coats. The secluded primary wing of the home acts as a private sanctuary, offering an expansive bedroom with a dedicated sitting area, a private study, and luxurious dual bathrooms and massive walk-in closets.
Outdoors, the property was tailored to accommodate both grand outdoor living and a unique passion for animals. A specialized, air-conditioned dog kennel and adjoining secure yard were constructed on the grounds to house the family’s 16 dogs, ensuring they enjoyed the same level of comfort as the home’s human residents.
Beyond the main residence, the estate’s infrastructure includes a massive, climate-controlled 11,000-square-foot garage. This industrial-scale building was specifically designed and constructed to showcase Foreman’s impressive collection of more than 40 luxury and classic automobiles, serving as a pristine automotive showroom just steps from the main house.
Following Foreman’s death at the age of 76, his family members have begun the emotional process of parting with the sprawling Texas sanctuary, though their connection to the property remains deeply rooted in fond memories. Natalie Foreman, one of the couple’s daughters, shared her reflections with the Houston Chronicle, noting that the family’s greatest hope is for the next resident to embrace the property’s rich history of hospitality and community. She expressed a desire for someone to take over the mantle of hosting, picturing future owners throwing the large Thanksgiving and New Year’s celebrations that defined her childhood, or setting off firecrackers in the front yard to celebrate the Fourth of July.
With its unique blend of heavyweight boxing history, commercial pop-culture legacy, spiritual ministry, and sprawling resort-style amenities on the outskirts of Houston, the Huffman compound stands as a testament to an extraordinary American life. As the listing draws interest from luxury buyers across the region, the next chapter for the estate awaits whoever is ready to step into the legendary footprint left behind by George and Mary Joan Foreman.
