A records search by USA TODAY Sports indicates Muhammad Ali never legally changed his name from Cassius Clay — and lived in an era when he didn’t have to.
Officials in Kentucky, where Ali was born, and in Illinois, where Ali lived when he adopted his Muslim name in 1964, said there are no records showing Ali legally changed his name from his given name, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., before he died June 3.
A copy of Ali’s birth certificate, which was obtained by USA TODAY Sports, shows no updated name, but it does show a spelling error: Cassuis, rather than Cassius.
Roxanne Williamson, a spokesperson for the Social Security Administration, said a legal name change was not required in the 1960s. A person who wanted to use another name could simply assume the new one.
“In 1964, the Social Security Administration (SSA) did not require an applicant to provide documented proof of his or her name or changes to his or her legal name,’’ Williamson said in an email. “An individual’s name was listed on his or her Social Security card based solely on his or her allegation. Many Social Security Numbers (SSNs), including SSN cards, were issued in the name provided by the applicant and could include an applicant’s nickname.
“SSA’s only requirement was that the applicant submit acceptable evidence that established his or her identity.”
The Social Security Administration tightened the policy in 2005 after Congressional action spurred by 9/11 and terrorism concerns. The change requires Social Security numbers or cards to be in the applicant’s legal name, Williamson said.
Hana Ali, one of the boxer’s children, said Ali’s wife, Lonnie, told her the legendary boxer had never legally changed his name. But family spokesman Bob Gunnel disputed that, saying, “Lonnie wasn’t aware one way or the other because it’s inconsequential.’’
Veronica Porche, the third of Ali’s four wives, said she wasn’t surprised to learn there are no records showing Ali changed his name legally, which requires a court decree.
“Back then, within the black Muslim community, there was a lot of talk about not needing to go according to the white man’s law,” said Porche, who was married to Ali from 1977 to 1986. “Just as a group they talked about that, so I heard them say that.”
Porche also pointed out that she and Ali were married in a Muslim ceremony in 1974 while Ali still was married to his second wife and preparing to fight George Foreman in what was billed as “The Rumble in the Jungle."
In 1977, after Ali was divorced from his second wife, Porche and Ali had a second wedding ceremony in Los Angeles. But Porche said it was her idea, in part so their marriage would be recognized by U.S. law. Ali had expressed no interest in a non-Muslim ceremony, according to Porche.
Sonji Roi, who was Ali’s first wife and married to the former heavyweight champion when he changed his name in 1964, died in 2005.
Khalilah Ali, who was Ali’s second wife and married to the boxer from 1967 to 1976, said she had no information indicating Ali had legally changed his name.
“Not on my watch he didn’t,’’ she said.
After being told that records indicate her father never legally changed his name, Hana Ali said, “That was a shock. … I’ve never heard that."
Gunnel, the Ali family spokesman, said the boxer’s tax bills, real estate records and driver’s license all were issued in the name of Muhammad Ali.
“Every single legal document from the United States government came to him in the name of Muhammad Ali,’’ Gunnel said. “So as far as Muhammad Ali was concerned, his name was changed.’’
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