Sonji Roi Cause of Death: The Tragic Story of Muhammad Ali’s First Wife

Sonji Roi was the first wife of Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer and civil rights activist. She met him in 1964, when he was still known as Cassius Clay, and married him after a whirlwind romance. However, their marriage was short-lived and ended in divorce two years later. Sonji Roi died in 2005, at the age of 64, from a heart attack. Here is everything you need to know about her life, career, and death.

Early Life and Career

Sonji Roi was born in 1941, in the United States of America. Little is known about her early life, family, or education. She started working as a cocktail waitress at a young age, and also pursued a career as a model. She was described as a beautiful, independent-minded, and highly spirited woman.

Marriage to Muhammad Ali

Sonji Roi met Muhammad Ali in July 1964, at a nightclub in Chicago. He was 22 years old and had just won his first heavyweight championship. She was 18 years old and working as a waitress. He was instantly smitten by her and proposed to her on their first date. She accepted and they got married on August 14, 1964, in Gary, Indiana.

Their marriage was controversial, as Ali had not yet converted to Islam and was still using his birth name, Cassius Clay. Sonji Roi became known as Mrs. Sonji Clay. However, soon after their wedding, Ali announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He also joined the Nation of Islam, a radical black separatist movement led by Elijah Muhammad.

This caused tension in their marriage, as Sonji Roi did not share his religious beliefs or practices. She refused to wear modest clothing or cover her hair, as required by the Nation of Islam. She also objected to his involvement with the group, which she considered extremist and violent. She wanted him to focus on his boxing career and family life.

Divorce and Aftermath

Sonji Roi and Muhammad Ali divorced on January 10, 1966, after less than two years of marriage. The main reason for their divorce was their irreconcilable differences over religion and lifestyle. Sonji Roi accused Ali of being abusive and controlling, while Ali accused her of being unfaithful and disobedient.

After their divorce, Sonji Roi moved to Chicago from Miami, where she had lived with Ali. She met her second husband, Reynaldo Glover, a corporate lawyer and business advisor. They had a son together, named Brian Reynaldo Jr. However, their relationship did not last either.

Sonji Roi also had another son from a previous relationship, named Herman Griffin. She tried to pursue a career as a singer, releasing a few singles such as Here I Am and Here I Stay and I Can’t Wait. However, she did not achieve much success or fame in the music industry.

Death and Legacy

Sonji Roi died on October 11, 2005, at her home in Chicago. The cause of death was a heart attack. She was 64 years old at the time of her death. She was buried at Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens in Glenwood, Illinois.

Sonji Roi is remembered as the first wife of Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers and civil rights icons of all time. She was also a woman who defied social norms and expectations, and lived her life on her own terms. She had a brief but impactful role in Ali’s life and career.

According to Tuko Sonji Roi once said:

I loved him with all my heart but I couldn’t live with him anymore because he wanted me to be something that I wasn’t.

She also said:

He’s still my husband in my heart because he’s the only man I ever loved.

Doms Desk

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