Who Is Don King? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Don King is 93 years old. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he has built a legendary career as a boxing promoter. His journey from humble beginnings to the forefront of the boxing industry is inspiring. Known for his flamboyant personality and charismatic promotional tactics, King has been pivotal in promoting some of the sport's biggest fights, including the legendary bouts of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield.
For more details, visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Sports Executive |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 20, 1931 |
| Age | 93 Years |
| Birth Place | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Don King's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Don King stands at approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm) and has maintained a robust physique throughout his life. Though specific weight information can vary, he has been known to weigh around 180 pounds (82 kg). With his distinctive white hair and notable presence, he remains an unforgettable figure in both boxing and pop culture.
King has been investigated for possible connections with organized crime. On May 20, 1957, the porch of King's house was bombed and in October of the same year, King was shot in the head and neck with a shotgun by unidentified gunmen, reportedly due to his refusal to pay $200 in monthly protection money to crime boss Shondor Birns.
In December 1957, King's house was raided by the IRS for evasion of $32,029 in policy tax. Charges of blackmail against Birns and five others were ultimately dropped in July 1958 when King declined to testify in court. During a 1992 Senate investigation, King invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned about his connection to mobster John Gotti.
When IBF president Robert W. Lee Sr. was indicted for racketeering in 1999, King was not indicted, nor did he testify at Lee's trial, though prosecutors reportedly "called him an unindicted co-conspirator who was the principal beneficiary of Lee's machinations."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In terms of his family, Don King has had several relationships throughout his life. He was married to Henrietta King until her passing in 2010 and has four children. While there are no confirmed reports of a new partner as of 2025, King continues to be surrounded by family and friends who have supported him through his extraordinary journey in the boxing world.
Clarence worked at the Otis Steel plant owned by the Jones & Laughlin company and was killed in a workplace accident on December 7, 1941, when a ladle exploded and engulfed him in molten steel. Hattie received $10,000 in compensation and relocated the family to the middle-class Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
His mother made a living selling peanuts and homemade pies, helped by King and his younger sister and sold the wares at a local "policy house" that used the guise of a concession stand to run a numbers game.
King and his older brothers all eventually became involved in the betting scheme, with King later stating "So now what we did is we capitalized off of this here, and we hustled. It was statutorily illegal, but who knew about the statutes?" King graduated from John Adams High in 1951 and briefly attended Kent State University before dropping out.
Net Worth and Salary
Don King’s estimated net worth as of 2025 is around $150 million. Throughout his career, King has earned significant income from his promotional deals, event management, and various business endeavors. His salary is influenced by the lucrative boxing events he organizes, as well as endorsements and other business investments.
On April 20, 1966, King killed an employee, 34-year-old Sam Garrett, in an open street in front of several witnesses, for owing $600 in debt. King beat and kicked Garrett and held a .357 magnum revolver to his head; Garrett never regained consciousness and died of severe head trauma on April 24.
King claimed self-defense, while the prosecution, supported by witness testimony, including that of arresting police officer Bob Tonne, argued that Garrett was attacked by King, with Garrett's last words being quoted as "Don, I'll pay you the money." He was convicted of second-degree murder for the second killing in 1967 and sentenced to one-to-twe
nty years imprisonment.
While he served his term at the Marion Correctional Institution, he began self-education; according to his own words, he read everything in the prison library he could get his hands on. "I learned this here, in the ...
penitentiary, in reading everything that I can find my hands on, and didn't living the life that I live before I got to the penitentiary. That gave me an enlightenment on life that 'don't get mad, get smart.' That's why I want other kids to educate themselves, put it in their brain, they can't take that away."
Career, Business and Investments
Don King's career began in the 1970s when he started promoting boxing matches. He quickly gained notoriety for his aggressive style and ability to negotiate high-profile fights. His business acumen has led him to invest in multiple ventures beyond boxing, including music and entertainment.
Despite controversies and legal battles over the years, King has retained a lasting legacy in the boxing community, showcasing the talent of numerous fighters and contributing to the global popularity of the sport. He remains active in various philanthropic efforts as well.
King's career highlights include, among multiple other enterprises, promoting "The Rumble in the Jungle" and the "Thrilla in Manila".
King has promoted some of the most prominent names in boxing, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Tomasz Adamek, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, Julio César Chávez, Ricardo Mayorga, Andrew Golota, Bernard Hopkins, Félix Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr., Azumah Nelson, Gerald McClellan, M
arco Antonio Barrera, Salvador Sanchez, Wilfred Benitez, Wilfredo Gomez and Christy Martin.
Many of these boxers sued him for allegedly defrauding them. Mike Tyson was quoted as saying, "He did more bad to black fighters than any white promoter ever in the history of boxing."
Social Network
Don King has a significant presence on social media platforms, where he shares his insights, memories from his legendary career, and engages with boxing fans. His official accounts on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook showcase his involvement in the boxing industry and his interactions with notable personalities.
Outside of boxing, he was the concert promoter for The Jacksons' 1984 Victory Tour. In 1998, King purchased a Cleveland-based weekly newspaper serving the African American community in Ohio, the Call and Post, and as of 2011 continued as its publisher.
Education
Don King's educational background includes attending Kent State University. Though he faced numerous challenges early in life, including issues related to his work and legal complications, King’s experiences and dedication to the sport have ultimately shaped his career into what it is today.
King has been charged with killing two people in incidents 13 years apart. In 1954, King shot a man in the back after spotting him trying to rob one of his gambling houses; this incident was ruled a justifiable homicide. In 1967, King was convicted of second-degree murder for stomping one of his employees to death because he owed him $600.
For this, he served three years and eleven months in prison, being released after the conviction was reduced to voluntary manslaughter on appeal.
