In a somber announcement, The King Center reported that Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., passed away on Monday at the age of 62. The cause of death was prostate cancer.
Dexter Scott King held significant roles in the legacy of his father, serving as the chairman of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, commonly known as The King Center, and president of the King estate.
Dexter Scott King: Legacy Leader at The King Center
His contributions to the continuation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s work were impactful, and his leadership left a lasting imprint on the civil rights movement.
He peacefully transitioned in his sleep at home in Malibu, according to a statement from his wife, Leah Weber King. She expressed gratitude for his bravery in battling prostate cancer until the end. The couple had been married since July 2013.
Read more: Illinois Police Use Taser On 14-Year-Old With Autism In Alleged Case Of Mistaken Identity
Siblings Mourn Dexter Scott King’s Passing
The news of Dexter Scott King’s passing came as a shock, prompting statements from his siblings. Martin Luther King III expressed the family’s devastation and requested prayers for the entire King family during this difficult time.
Bernice King, the CEO of The King Center, shared the profound grief she feels at the loss of another sibling and asked for strength to navigate this challenging period.
Dexter, the youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr., had a profound connection with the civil rights movement, witnessing his father’s tragic assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, at the tender age of 7 in 1968.
Later in life, he followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Morehouse College, Martin Luther King Jr.’s alma mater.
In a unique tribute to his father’s legacy, Dexter Scott King took on the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in a small part in the 2002 CBS movie “The Rosa Parks Story,” alongside Angela Bassett in the title role.
His multifaceted contributions to civil rights, both in leadership and artistic representation, will be remembered as part of the enduring King legacy.
Read more: Nikki Haley Asserts: ‘The US Has Never Been A Racist Country
