Meet George Weah’s Parents: Anna Quayeweah and William T. Weah Sr.

George Manneh Oppong Weah’s life reads like a tale of resilience, determination, and triumph over adversity.

Born on October 1, 1966, in Monrovia’s Clara Town slum, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Liberia, he grew up in an environment defined by poverty, hardship, and limited opportunities.

Raised primarily by his paternal grandmother, Emma Klonjlaleh Brown, after his parents separated, Weah was instilled with values of faith, humility, and perseverance that would guide him throughout his journey.

His father, William T. Weah Sr., worked as a mechanic, and his mother, Anna Quaye Weah, a merchant, passed away in 2013.

He was one of 13 children, with brothers including William, Moses, and Wolo. His roots trace to the Kru ethnic group from Grand Kru County, with maternal ties to Grand Bassa County.

Weah’s early years were marked by resilience as he balanced the struggles of slum life with his growing passion for football. He attended Muslim Congress Middle School and Wells Hairston High School in Monrovia, but dropped out in his final year to pursue the sport professionally.

Later in life, he returned to education, earning a degree in business administration from DeVry University in Miami. For about a decade, Weah practiced Islam before converting to Christianity, a faith he embraced under the guidance of his grandmother.

His footballing journey transformed him from a barefoot boy playing on makeshift pitches into one of the greatest African players of all time. Standing 1.85 meters (6 ft 1 in), Weah became the only African to win the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year, achievements that cemented his place in football history.

Nicknamed “King George,” he built a career across top European clubs, including AC Milan, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, becoming a global icon and a source of pride for Africa.

Off the pitch, Weah built a family with his Jamaican-born wife, Clar Weah, whom he married in 1993. Together, they raised four children, including George Weah Jr., Martha Weah (often called Tita Weah), and Timothy Weah, who has followed in his father’s footballing footsteps. He also has a daughter from another relationship, a matter that led to a public child support case in 2016.

Weah’s legacy extended beyond football when he transitioned into politics, rising to become the 25th President of Liberia, serving from 2018 to 2024.

William T. Weah Sr.

William T. Weah Sr., George‘s father, embodied the quiet grit of Liberia’s working class.

A mechanic by trade, he toiled at the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTRACO) on Johansen Drive in Monrovia, repairing vehicles and equipment in an era when such manual labour was essential for survival.

His workshop, tucked along the bustling Waterside area, was a hub of ingenuity amid economic scarcity. Though William Sr. passed away when George was still young—some accounts suggest shortly after his son’s birth—his legacy lived on through his children.

George had three brothers: William T. Weah Jr., Moses Weah, and Wolo Weah, who shared in the family’s modest circumstances. William Sr.‘s profession not only provided for the family but also symbolized the mechanical precision and endurance that Weah would later channel into his explosive playing style on the pitch.

As a member of the Kru tribe, known for their seafaring heritage and resilience, William Sr. represented the unyielding spirit of Liberia’s coastal communities.

Anna Quayeweah

Anna Quayeweah, Weah‘s mother, was the family’s steadfast provider and a symbol of entrepreneurial spirit in the face of poverty.

As a seller—or marketer, as it’s often described in Liberian contexts—she hustled in Monrovia’s markets, trading goods to make ends meet. Her days were spent navigating the chaotic stalls of Waterside, bartering essentials like food and fabrics to support her large brood.

Hailing from Grand Bassa County, Anna brought the industrious ethos of the Bassa ethnic group, known for their agricultural roots and community-oriented values.

Anna‘s life was one of quiet sacrifice. She outlived her husband and remained a pillar for her children until her passing in 2013. Though she and William Sr. separated early, her influence on George was profound, teaching him the value of hard work and self-reliance.

In interviews and biographies, Weah has rarely delved into personal anecdotes about his mother, but her role as a single parent figure—complemented by his grandmother—undoubtedly fueled his drive to escape the cycle of poverty.