Dexter Scott King, Son Of Martin Luther King Jr., Dies At 62

OAN's Elizabeth Bolbelding
4:52 PM – Monday, January 22, 2024

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr., has died at the age of 62 after a battle with prostate cancer.

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according to Family and King Center StatementDexter Scott King, the son of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr., died Monday at the age of 62.

Dexter's wife, Leah Webber King, said in a statement that Dexter passed away peacefully while resting.

“He underwent a gentle change in his condition while he was sleeping with me at home in Malibu,” Leah said in a statement from the King Center. “He fought this terrible disease to the end with all his might. As with all challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with courage and strength.”

Dexter's older brother, Martin Luther King III, also released a statement expressing his condolences.

“I am so saddened to learn of the passing of my brother Dexter Scott King. The sudden shock is devastating.” “It's hard to say the right words in a moment like this. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers, especially Dexter's wife Leah Weber.”

Before his death, Dexter was an activist and served as president of the King Center. He also served as president of King Estates, according to the King Center.Additionally, Dexter had an acting role impersonating his father in the biopic Rosa Parks Story.

The King Center We advocate promoting the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King and supporting nonviolent social change and social justice.

Bernice King, Dexter's sister and CEO of the King Center, expressed her deep sadness over her brother's death.

“Words can't describe the heartbreak of losing another brother. I'm praying for strength to get through this very difficult time,” Bernice said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founder of the National Action Network, expressed his sadness at Dr. King's death.

“We were heartbroken to hear that Dexter King left us this morning, but relieved to know that he was reunited with his parents and sister,” Sharpton said. “Dexter was only 7 years old when his hero, role model, and most importantly, his father was taken from us. But he turned that pain into action, and Martin and Coretta Scott… He dedicated his life to advancing the dreams the King and his wife had for their children, grandchildren, and generations to come.”

Atlanta, Georgia Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his solidarity with the local community and the international community in mourning Dexter's death.

“His deep and abiding love for his family positioned him as the custodian of his father and mother's legacy,” Dickens said.

Dickens added that Dexter wore many hats, including actor, humanitarian, civil rights activist and Morehouse College graduate.

“But most of all he was a devoted family man,” Dickens said, also expressing his condolences to Dexter's survivors.

Dexter, the third of the King family's four children, was just 7 years old when his father was murdered in 1968. MLK Jr. He was previously the pastor of Dexter Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, which is where the name Dexter comes from.

Yolanda King, the eldest daughter of the King family, passed away in 2007, after her mother, Coretta Scott King, died the previous year in 2006.