Joe Louis

American heavyweight boxer. His reign as heavyweight champion of 11 years, 8 months is the longest in boxing history. On 4 July 1934 he started his professional career. Winning the title on 22 June 1937, he held it until 1949, defending it more times than anyone before or since. He made an estimated $8.7 million over his career, but ended owing the IRS.

Born seventh of eight kids, after moving to Detroit at 12, he left school at 17 to help support the family. Married four times to three women, he had two biological children, daughter Jacqueline born 1943 and son Joseph Jr. born 24 May 1947.

In October 1977 he had an aortic aneurysm and while in the hospital suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which left him wheelchair bound. Louis had open heart surgery in 1978 and died of a massive heart attack on 12 April 1981 in Las Vegas, NV.