Is Muhammad Ali still alive?

Short Answer

Basic Profile

• Full Name: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)
• Date of Birth: January 17, 1942
• Nationality: American
• Primary Known For: Three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, activist, and global cultural icon
• Date of Death: June 3, 2016
• Cause of Death: Septic shock (complications from Parkinson's disease)

Latest Confirmed Status Summary

Muhammad Ali died on June 3, 2016, at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 74. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for over 30 years. His funeral in Louisville, Kentucky, was attended by thousands and featured speakers including Bill Clinton and Billy Crystal. He is remembered not only as one of the greatest boxers of all time but also as a civil rights activist and humanitarian.

Notable Facts

• Three-time world heavyweight boxing champion (1964, 1974, 1978)
• Olympic gold medalist (1960)
• "The Greatest" - considered by many as the greatest boxer of all time
• Refused military service during Vietnam War on religious grounds, stripped of title
• Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient (2005)
• Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, likely from boxing injuries
• Lit Olympic flame at 1996 Atlanta Olympics despite advanced Parkinson's

Sources

• Wikipedia: Muhammad Ali (verified citations, checked Feb 2026)
• BBC News: Muhammad Ali dies (June 2016 announcement)
• ESPN: Muhammad Ali obituary (comprehensive coverage)
• Muhammad Ali Center (official memorial site)