Rasheda Ali is an American author, public speaker, entrepreneur, and occasional actress. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she is widely recognized as one of the daughters of legendary heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. In addition to carrying forward her father’s legacy, she has established her own career in publishing, business, television, and public advocacy. A longtime member of SAG-AFTRA, Ali has been involved in several television productions and entertainment projects. She is also a fashion entrepreneur and shoe designer, having owned shoe boutiques in New York and Atlanta. Throughout her life, Rasheda shared a close bond with her father and has remained committed to preserving his memory and humanitarian ideals. Following Muhammad Ali’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, she became a passionate advocate for raising awareness about the condition. She frequently speaks at conferences and educational events and authored the book I’ll Hold Your Hand So You Won’t Fall: A Child’s Guide to Parkinson’s Disease, which helps children better understand and cope with the illness. Known for her calm and humble personality, Ali has often been described as thoughtful, hardworking, and compassionate. Unlike her father’s outspoken public persona, she maintains a quiet and modest approach while dedicating much of her time to charitable work and health advocacy. A practicing Muslim, she observes her faith by praying five times a day while emphasizing a balanced and moderate interpretation of Islam, distancing herself from extremist ideologies.
Career of Rasheda Ali
Rasheda Ali is an internationally recognized author, public speaker, television personality, and entrepreneur. She is best known for writing I’ll Hold Your Hand So You Won’t Fall: A Child’s Guide to Parkinson’s Disease, a book designed to help children understand Parkinson’s disease and its impact on families. Published in English, French, Spanish, and Polish, the book has received praise from organizations such as USA BookNews and PD Advocate, as well as endorsements from actor Michael J. Fox and Dr. Timothy Johnson, former medical editor for ABC News.
Since 2007, Ali has served on the Advisory Board of Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., a company focused on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. She is also a patron of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, continuing her efforts to raise awareness about the illness that affected her father. As a speaker, she regularly participates in conferences, fundraising events, and awareness campaigns around the world. Her notable appearances include the Annual Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Gala Fundraiser, National Parkinson Foundation Moving Day events, and the Bringing Hope to Life Fundraising Gala.
In the entertainment industry, Rasheda has worked as a production assistant for Star Search Productions and appeared on the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York on VH1.
She has also been featured on several nationally recognized television programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dateline with Katie Couric, NewsNation with Tamron Hall, and New York Nightly News with Chuck Scarborough.
Expanding her work in television, Ali created, hosted, and produced the talk show In My Corner with Rasheda Ali, which was filmed in Las Vegas. She is also a member of both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). In addition, she has served as a celebrity master of ceremonies for events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, the Women in Business Awards, and the Ms. Arizona Pageant.
Alongside her media career, Rasheda has built a successful business in the fashion industry. She opened two shoe boutiques in New York and Atlanta and later introduced her own footwear collection called Encore. Her Atlanta boutique, B Chic, gained additional exposure after being featured on the reality television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Family & Personal Life
Rasheda Ali was born in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, to legendary heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and his second wife, Belinda Boyd, later known as Khalilah Camacho Ali. Both of her parents had previously been married before their relationship.
She comes from a large family and has eight siblings and half-siblings, including her twin sister, Jamillah, as well as Khaliah, Miya, Muhammad Ali Jr., Laila Ali, Hana, Maryum, and Asaad. One of the most valuable lessons she says she learned from her father was the importance of humility. Muhammad Ali encouraged all of his children to treat people with kindness and respect, regardless of race, religion, or background.
In the early 1990s, Rasheda attended the University of Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications.
In her personal life, Rasheda is married to Bob Walsh, a restaurateur who co-owns Biaggio’s Italian Restaurant in Chicago. The couple married in 1997 and have two sons, Nico and Biaggio.