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

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died at age 62. The King Center announced he passed away on Jan. 22 after a “valiant battle with prostate cancer.” He was the third child of the civil rights icons.

His brother, Martin Luther King III, shared that the news was unexpected. “The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. We ask for your prayers at this time for the entire King family,” he said, per Fox 5 Atlanta.

Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, his sister and CEO of The King Center, added, “Words cannot express the heart break I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time.”

“He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu,” said his best friend of 21 years and wife of 11 years, Leah Weber King. “He 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.”

A memorial service will reportedly be announced at a later time.

Dexter Scott King was born on Jan. 30, 1961, and grew up in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. He was only seven years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968. Dexter attended Frederick Douglas High School and later on became a graduate of Morehouse College.

Dexter served as both Chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate. He became well-versed in intellectual property law and worked to preserve and protect his father’s legacy and the intellectual property (IP) his parents left behind.

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