Dexter Scott King, Son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Passes Away at 62

Dexter Scott King, the younger son of renowned civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has sadly passed away at the age of 62 after a battle with an undisclosed illness. His wife, Leah Weber King, confirmed that he peacefully passed away in his sleep, stating that he fought the disease with bravery till the end.

The news of Dexter’s death has left his brother, Martin Luther King III, deeply saddened. In a statement, he expressed his grief and requested prayers for the entire King family, especially Dexter’s wife, Leah Weber King.

Dexter Scott King was not only known for his lineage but also for his own activism. He portrayed his father in the movie “Selma” and served as the chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate, both prestigious organizations dedicated to preserving the legacies of his parents and advancing social justice.

The loss of Dexter has also deeply impacted his sister, Bernice King, CEO of the King Center, who expressed her heartbreak and requested strength to get through this challenging time. Reverend Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, shared his condolences, highlighting Dexter’s dedication to carrying forward his parents’ dream.

Dexter Scott King, named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where his father served as a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, was just seven years old when his father was assassinated in 1968. The tragic loss continued to shadow his life as he lost his mother, Coretta Scott King, in 2006, and his oldest sibling, Yolanda King, in 2007.