Floyd Patterson Death: Core Facts and Timeline
Floyd Patterson died on May 11, 2021, at the age of 77, according to public records and family statements reported by major outlets including The New York Times. His death was attributed to complications related to Alzheimer's disease and other age-related health issues. Patterson had been living in New Paltz, New York, in the years before his passing. The news was widely covered by sports and general news outlets, confirming the date and cause of death through official sources and close family representatives.
Public records and obituaries list Floyd Patterson's full legal name, birth date of January 4, 1935, and place of birth as Waco, North Carolina. His remains were handled in accordance with his family's wishes, and no public autopsy report was released beyond the stated cause of death. The New York State Department of Health and local municipal records confirm the date and location of death as Ulster County, New York. The information aligns with reporting from ESPN and other trusted sports data platforms that maintain athlete biographical records.
Career Achievements and Financial Legacy
Floyd Patterson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 21 when he defeated Archie Moore in 1956, a record that stood for decades. He later lost the title to Ingemar Johansson in 1959 and regained it in 1960, making him the first heavyweight to win the title on a second attempt. His professional record stands at 55 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 40 knockouts, according to BoxRec and other boxing record databases. Patterson's career earnings, adjusted for inflation, placed him among the top-earning athletes of his era, though exact net worth figures remain estimates based on public financial disclosures and interviews.
Patterson's post-retirement financial activities included business ventures, public appearances, and roles in sports organizations. He served as a boxing commissioner and worked with various charitable foundations focused on youth sports and education. His estate planning and asset distribution were handled privately, with no major public legal disputes reported in connection with his death. The financial legacy of Floyd Patterson is often discussed in the context of early heavyweight champions who navigated limited pension and benefit structures compared to modern athletes.
Historical Context and Public Record Availability
Floyd Patterson's death is documented across multiple public record systems, including vital statistics maintained by state authorities and federal databases such as the Social Security Death Index. These records confirm his Social Security number, birth details, and death date without ambiguity. Researchers and biographers rely on these sources to verify key life events, including his adoption, Olympic participation in 1952, and professional boxing milestones. The availability of these records ensures that Floyd Patterson's biographical data remains accessible for historical and genealogical research.
Public interest in Floyd Patterson's life and death continues through archived news articles, documentary features, and sports history publications. Major outlets such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated have published retrospective pieces that compile career earnings, title fight purses, and post-career activities. These sources provide a factual basis for understanding his financial trajectory and the economic landscape of professional boxing during the mid-20th century. The consistent accuracy of these records supports ongoing analysis of Patterson's impact on the sport and his broader cultural legacy.