Dexter Scott King, Son Of MLK Dies Of Cancer At 62
Dexter Scott King, 62- years old, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King has died. The King Center confirmed in a statement from his…
Yolanda (8), Martin Luther King III (6), Dexter (3) and Bernice (11 months), the children of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. with their mother Coretta Scott King, February 1964.
Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer via Getty ImagesDexter Scott King, 62- years old, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King has died. The King Center confirmed in a statement from his family on Monday according to multiple reports.
NBC News reported that the family of Dexter Scott King confirmed that he died after a battle with prostate cancer. The civil rights activist married Leah Weber King in 2013. In a statement from the King Center, she said, "He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu." She continued, "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."
Martin Luther King III, his older brother, said in a statement, "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."
Civil rights and social justice activist Rev. Al Sharpton shared a statement on social media regarding the passing of Dexter Scott King. "Heartbroken to hear that Dexter King left us this morning, but I was comforted by the knowledge he is reunited with his parents and sister," he said.
He is a graduate of Morehouse College and worked as chairman of The King Center. He also was the president of the King Estate, according to the King Center website.
At the age of seven, the son of the late civil rights leader experienced the tragic aftermath of his father's assassination. Recalling the moment, he shared with CNN that he was watching television with his older brother when a news flash abruptly interrupted, delivering the devastating news that his father had been shot in Memphis. Reflecting on that time, he described it to the outlet as "a very chaotic and traumatic period."
