Muhammad Ali's Wife Discusses His Health, Youtube, Kind Nature
Boxing great Muhammad Ali loves watching himself on YouTube though his wife regrets his inability to influence the world because of his failing health.
In a touching interview with The Times newspaper, Ali's fourth wife Lonnie gave an insight into the former world heavyweight champion's ongoing struggles with Parkinson's disease.
Long-time friend Lonnie volunteered to look after Ali when he became ill in 1984 and married him two years later.
"He does have advanced Parkinson's disease, so he is challenged," Lonnie told The Times.
"But he still is a positive person. We try to keep him engaged and connected to people, especially his family. The nature of the illness is that you become apathetic.
"The thing he loves most is watching himself on YouTube. He becomes so intense. It's as if he hasn't ever seen it before. He watches the Parkinson interviews. I remember in Michigan one time, he was watching himself, and said: 'I was crazy, wasn't I?' I said: 'Yes!'
"He loves watching the fights with Frazier too. He used to do these doodles of himself in a boxing ring. The only opponent he ever put in the ring with him was Frazier."
Ali, 74, became famous for his championing of human rights issues as much as his sporting prowess, using his fame to exert influence beyond the boxing ring.
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Lonnie regrets he's unable to do this at a time when the world faces so many struggles.
"There are many times today that I wish his voice was stronger," Lonnie said when asked what Ali might be doing now if he wasn't ill.
"The world needs him. Islam needs him. These young people, these jihadists, are so misguided.
"He wouldn't have been a politician. If he was president, the White House would be open to the public and he would give everything away.
"But he would be doing more travelling, trying to build bridges. That ability to stand up and say things. That person is still in his belly . . . The tragedy is that his illness means the world can't see it."
Lonnie said generosity remains a hallmark of Ali.
"I have seen that a thousand times. He is so generous, so giving," she said.
"I have seen him empty his wallet for homeless people, and he didn't have anything like as much money as people thought. A lot of people have taken advantage of him but he doesn't mind. They sometimes say: 'Don't meet your heroes because you will see the blemishes.'
"With Muhammad I have learnt more with every passing year about how big-hearted he is. Even today, he wants to give back."
An exhibition on the boxing legend, I Am The Greatest: Muhammad Ali, is currently exhibiting in London.
