Dexter Scott King, Youngest Son of Martin Luther King Jr., Dies at 62 After Battle With Prostate Cancer

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of the iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has passed away at the age of 62.

The sad news has been reported by the King Center in Atlanta. Dexter, who battled prostate cancer, was an activist and played significant roles as the chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate. His death is a profound loss for the King family and the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Dexter Scott King's passing was announced by the King Center, where he had served in prominent roles. His wife, Leah Weber King, shared that he peacefully transitioned in his sleep at their home in Malibu.

Born in Atlanta in 1961 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Dexter was raised in a family deeply committed to civil rights. He followed in his parents' footsteps as an activist and dedicated his life to perpetuating his father's legacy.

Dexter King was just seven years old when his father was tragically assassinated in 1968. His name, Dexter Scott King, was inspired by the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served as a pastor.

Following in his father's footsteps, Dexter attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He later pursued a legal career, leveraging his expertise to protect the intellectual property associated with the King family.

Dexter served as the chairman of the King Center, an institution dedicated to advancing Dr. King's vision for justice, equality, and peace. He also held the position of president of the King Estate, overseeing the management of the family's intellectual property.

Dexter King bore an uncanny resemblance to his father, a quality noted by many. He portrayed his father in the 2002 movie "The Rosa Parks Story," contributing to the preservation of Dr. King's legacy through various mediums.

Martin Luther King III expressed deep sadness and requested prayers for the entire King family, especially Dexter's wife, Leah Weber. Rev. Bernice King conveyed the indescribable heartbreak of losing another sibling, highlighting the pain following the previous loss of Yolanda King in 2007.

The King Center emphasized Dexter Scott King's lifelong dedication to perpetuating his father's vision for justice, equality, and social change. His contributions to civil rights and activism have left an indelible mark on the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton extended condolences to the King family, acknowledging Dexter's role in preserving the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He expressed the hope that Dexter Scott King's legacy would endure.

Dexter Scott King's passing marks a poignant moment in the ongoing legacy of the King family and the broader civil rights movement. His commitment to activism, preservation of his father's legacy, and contributions to the King Center have left an enduring impact. As the world mourns the loss of Dexter Scott King, his life serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and the tireless efforts needed to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.