Martin Luther King Jr.’s Youngest Son Dies at Home after Losing Battle with ‘Terrible Disease’: Details

In a solemn announcement, The King Center has confirmed the passing of Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, at 62. Dexter, who died on Monday after a courageous battle with prostate cancer, leaves behind a legacy deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement his father championed.

Leah Weber King, Dexter Scott King’s wife of 11 years, revealed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep at their Malibu home. She described his fight against what she called a “terrible disease” as brave, saying he faced this challenge, as he did all others in his life, with bravery and strength.

Dexter, who was just seven years old when his father was tragically assassinated in 1968, later became the chairman of the King Center, dedicating his life to preserving and promoting his father’s legacy.

The King Center’s statement highlighted Dexter’s role in legally protecting his father’s work and contributions to continuing Dr. King’s legacy.

Born on January 30, 1961, Dexter was named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Dexter then Morehouse College and even portrayed Dr. King in the 2002 production of “The Rosa Parks Story.”

Martin Luther King III, Dexter’s brother, expressed the shock of his brother’s passing, which devastated the family, who are now seeking prayers during this challenging time.

Dr. Bernice A. King, Dexter’s sister and CEO of The King Center, shared her profound heartbreak and requested strength to endure this difficult period. The King Center, in a statement shared on social media, paid tribute to Dexter, acknowledging his humanitarian efforts and activism in civil rights.

Reflecting on his life and legacy, Dexter once spoke about the challenges and blessings of carrying his father’s surname. In an interview on CNN’s “NewsNight With Aaron Brown,” he shared that while some expected him to emulate his father, he chose his path. Dexter became the president, chairman, and CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and co-authored “Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir” about his family and father.

Dexter’s life was marked by the struggle for civil rights from an early age, growing up amidst threats of violence against his family. He recalled the traumatic period of his father’s assassination when he was just seven, highlighting the profound impact of his parents’ teachings on him and his siblings.