Muhammad Ali Leaves Behind A Large Family

Late on Friday night, it was announced in a statement that champion heavyweight Muhammad Ali had died at 74. Ali had suffered from Parkinson's disease, and had faced increasing struggles with his health in the last several years. In addition to his fourth wife, Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams, who had served as Ali's confidante and caretaker in his last years, Ali leaves behind a large family with many children.

Throughout his life, Ali was married four times: to Sonji Roi, Belinda Boyd (who later changed her name to Khalilah), Veronica Porsche, and finally Lonnie. He had nine children, most famously Laila Ali, who went on to become an undefeated boxer herself. Ali had no children with his first wife, Roi; with his second wife, Boyd, he had four children: twins Jamillah and Rasheda, Maryum, and Muhammad Ali, Jr. He also reportedly had two children with women outside of his marriages: Khaliah and Miya.

When he married Porsche in 1977, they went on to have two children: Hana and Laila. Nine years later, they had divorced, and Muhammad had married Lonnie; they had one child, Asaad, whom they adopted.

Perhaps the most well-known of Muhammad's children is Laila, who retired in 2007 and had never officially lost a match. Maryum Ali became a stand-up comedian and rapper. Hana and Laila were at Muhammad's side along with Lonnie when he passed away, according to The Telegraph.

In the hours before Muhammad's death, Laila shared a touching throwback photo on her Facebook page of her father holding her own daughter, Sydney. "I love this photo of my father and my daughter Sydney when she was a baby! Thanks for all the love and well wishes. I feel your love and appreciate it!"

There were reports of conflict between members of Ali's large family in the years leading up to his death. Ali's brother and son Muhammad Ali, Jr., openly criticized his wife Lonnie, claiming that there was friction between Lonnie and some members of the family. Additionally, at least two other individuals have come forward claiming to be Muhammad Ali's children from other relationships, although his alleged parentage has never been confirmed.

Ali's daughter, Rasheda, said in a statement Saturday that her "daddy.. best friend, and hero" was "no longer suffering."