Dexter Scott King, the son of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., has passed away at the age of 62. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, after a battle with prostate cancer. His family confirmed his passing in a statement released to the public.
“Dexter gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might,” said his wife, Leah Weber King, in a heartfelt statement.
Dexter King was not just the son of a famous father; he was a man who devoted his life to preserving and promoting his father’s legacy. He was the chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate, leading the efforts to protect his family’s legacy and intellectual property.
“Dexter was the family member delegated to take on the mantle of continuing the precedent his father set by legally protecting his work. He devoted his life to the continued perpetuation of his father’s legacy and the protection of the intellectual property his father left behind,” the King Center confirmed in a statement.
In his memoir, “Growing Up King,” published in 2003, Dexter King shared his experiences growing up as the son of a civil rights icon and the impact of his father’s assassination when he was just 7 years old.
In a statement, the host of MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation,” Rev. Al Sharpton, expressed his thoughts.
“Dexter turned that pain into activism, however, and dedicated his life to advancing the dream Martin and Coretta Scott King had for their children.” He added that Dexter King “left us far too soon.”
The King Center has sadly just announced the passing of it’s Chairman, Dexter King. Dexter was the youngest son & the 3rd child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr & Coretta Scott King.
My condolences to all of Dexter’s family & friends. May he RIP, may his legacy live🕊️
📸: Prabook pic.twitter.com/aLGS1JYQRa
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 22, 2024
His siblings, the Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, also expressed their sorrow at his passing. “Words cannot express the heartbreak. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time,” said Bernice King.
Martin Luther King III added, “The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers, and in particular Dexter’s wife, Leah Weber.”
I am deeply saddened to share that my brother, Dexter Scott King, has passed away. The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers, and in particular Dexter’s wife, Leah Weber King. pic.twitter.com/m66arGAifN
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) January 22, 2024
In 1997, Dexter King made headlines when he visited James Earl Ray, the man imprisoned for shooting his father. Ray told Dexter King that he did not kill the civil rights legend, and Dexter King said he believed Ray.
Dexter King was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father was a pastor in the 1950s. His mother, Coretta Scott King, died in 2006, followed by his sister Yolanda King in 2007.
The loss of Dexter King is a significant one, not just for his family, but for all those who admired his father and the legacy he left behind. His life serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and the importance of continuing to fight for justice and equality.
His death is a reminder of the personal cost of this fight, borne by the King family and by all those who dedicate their lives to the cause of civil rights. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his life and his contributions to preserving his father’s legacy. His life, like his father’s, was a testament to the power of dedication, courage, and love in the face of adversity. He will be deeply missed.
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