A must share! When I first started researching the LEMELLE side of my family it was said by many relatives that Muhammad Ali’s 3rd wife Veronica Porsche-Ali was somehow related, but how? Sad to say that I never got around to verifying this family link until now. Turns out that Veronica and my maternal 4th great grandparents were siblings.
Veronica’s ancestor Caroline Balthazar RIDEAU is the sister of my ancestor Hyacinthe Balthazar RIDEAU. Veronica’s ancestor, Caroline, was born a free woman of color while my ancestor, Hyacinthe, was born before her mother Caroline PITRE was freed by her plantation owner. This is just one family connection we share.
Veronica and I are also descendants of Martin Donato BELLO, a wealthy Creole of Color. Her LEMELLE linage goes back to Marie Denise DONATO who is the sister of my ancestors Francois Auguste DONATO and Francois DONATO. These families we descend from were some of the most affluent Creoles of Color of Opelousas, Louisiana. I was even able to find a photo of Veronica’s ancestor Leon LEMELLE. His picture was in Frilot Cove in a photo album that hadn’t been touched in decades. This is one reason I’m now scanning old family photos.
This connection now adds another known celebrity athlete to the family – Veronica and Muhammed Al’s daughter, Laila ALI. Those of you who have been following my research now know that Laila Ali, Paul George and I all descend from Martin Donato BELLO. How cool is that?
