Muhammad Ali once cracked a joke that he ought to be a postage stamp—since “that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.”
Today, the three-time heavyweight champ’s witty remark is turning into reality.
Universally recognized as the most renowned and impactful boxer of all time, and someone who blended athletic excellence with [missing] and showmanship, Ali is receiving his first tribute via a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.
“As a sort of steward of his legacy, I’m overjoyed—excited, ecstatic,” Lonnie Ali, [his spouse?] of nearly three decades, told The Associated Press. “Every time someone glances at that stamp, they’ll remember him, and he’ll stay at the forefront of their minds. That’s such a thrill for me.”
A fierce competitor in the ring, compassionate in life
Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016 at age 74 after living with Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years. Both during his lifetime and posthumously, the man dubbed “The Greatest” has earned countless honors: a 1960 Olympic gold medal, the 1998 United Nations Messenger of Peace award, and the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom, to name a few.
Lonnie Ali noted that having his face on a stamp holds special meaning—it’s an opportunity to highlight his mission of spreading compassion and his knack for connecting with people.
“He did it one person at a time,” she said. “Sending a letter and using this stamp to reinforce the values of that life of connection is such a lovely way to engage with others.”
Public unveiling of the stamp set
A first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is scheduled for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky—Ali’s birthplace and home to the Muhammad Ali Center, which showcases his life and legacy. On that day, people can purchase Muhammad Ali Forever Stamps featuring a 1974 black-and-white Associated Press photo of Ali in his iconic boxing pose.
Each sheet of 20 stamps also includes an image of Ali in a pinstripe suit, honoring his activism and humanitarian work. Twenty-two million stamps have been printed; once sold out, they won’t be reissued, officials said. The stamps are expected to draw strong interest from both collectors and casual buyers.
As Forever Stamps, they’ll always cover First-Class Mail postage—something Lonnie Ali calls the “ultimate” tribute.
“This is a Forever Stamp from the Postal Service,” she said. “It’s one of those things that will become part of his legacy—and a shining star of it, at that.”
Crafting a historic stamp
Lisa Bobb-Semple, USPS director of stamp services, shared that the idea for an Ali stamp first emerged shortly after his death nearly a decade ago. But stamp development is a lengthy process: USPS rules require non-presidential figures to be deceased for at least three years before appearing on stamps.
While USPS worked behind the scenes on the stamp, an Ali friend launched the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign, which sparked public interest in the project.
“We’re thrilled that everything aligned to make this stamp a reality,” Bobb-Semple said—she initially had to keep the planned stamp secret until it was official. “It’s one we’ve long wanted to bring to the public.”
Members of the Citizen Stamps Advisory Committee (appointed by the postmaster general) select who and what appears on stamps. Each quarter, they meet with Bobb-Semple’s team to review public suggestions. Around 20–25 commemorative stamp issues are released annually.
Once an idea is chosen, Bobb-Semple’s team collaborates with an art director to design the stamp. It then undergoes an extensive final approval process—including a rigorous USPS legal review—before being issued to the public.
Antonio Alcalá, art director and designer of the Ali stamp, said hundreds of images were reviewed before narrowing down to a few finalists. The winning pick was an unsigned 1974 AP photo of Ali in his prime: gloves on, staring straight into the camera.
Alcalá noted that every USPS stamp has a story.
“Postage stamps are tiny works of art reflecting the American experience—celebrating heroes, history, milestones, achievements, and natural wonders,” he said. “The Muhammad Ali stamps are a perfect example of this.”
Ali’s outspoken stance on war, civil rights, and religion
Outside the ring, Ali was vocal about his beliefs when many Black Americans still fought to be heard. Born Cassius Clay Jr., he changed his name after converting to Islam in the 1960s and spoke openly about race, religion, and war. In 1967, he refused U.S. Army induction, citing his faith and opposition to the Vietnam War.
This stance cost him his heavyweight title and barred him from boxing for over three years. Convicted of draft evasion, he was sentenced to five years in prison but remained free while appealing. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 1971, further cementing his global prominence.
Later in life, Ali emerged as a global humanitarian, using his fame to promote peace, religious tolerance, and charity—even as Parkinson’s limited his speech and movement.
Ali’s message for a divided era
The commemorative stamp arrives amid political division in the U.S. and worldwide. Lonnie Ali said if her husband were alive today, he’d likely “block out much of this” and keep being the compassionate person who connected with others daily.
She emphasized this approach is especially important now.
“We need to draw inspiration from Muhammad’s life and practice the same small acts of kindness and compassion he did every day,” she urged.