Current:Home > BackMartin Luther King Jr.’s Son Dexter Scott King Dead at 62 After Cancer Battle-LoTradeCoin
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Son Dexter Scott King Dead at 62 After Cancer Battle
View Date:2024-12-23 23:54:50
The family of Martin Luther King Jr. is mourning the loss of another beloved member.
Dexter Scott King, the Civil Rights activist's youngest son and third child, died on Jan. 22 after a "valiant battle" with prostate cancer, according to an official statement from The King Center. He was 62.
"He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu," his wife of 11 years, Leah Weber, said in the statement. "He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might."
Dexter—who is brother to Martin Luther King III, 66, Bernice King, 60, and the late Yolanda King—was only seven years old when his father was assassinated but continued to carry on his legacy throughout his life. At the time of his death, he was the chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate.
"I am praying for strength to get through this very difficult time," Berenice said of Dexter. "Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling."
And Martin Luther also shared some parting thoughts.
"The sudden shock is devastating," the Drum Major Institute cofounder wrote on X, formerly Twitter—attaching an old family photo. "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 King."
The late King family member was known for his striking resemblance to his father, and initially pursued a career in acting—even starring as his father in the 2002 television film The Rosa Parks Story—before devoting his life to his father's legacy.
"Ever since I was seven, I've felt I must be formal," he wrote of carrying out his father's life work in his 2004 memoir Growing Up King, per TIME. "Formality, seriousness, certitude—all these are difficult poses to maintain, even if you're a person with perfect equilibrium, with all the drama life throws at you."
And though he lived an activism-driven life, Dexter never saw himself as a "leader."
"I'm not trying to have a constituency," he told the New York Times in 1997. "I'm not trying to be preachy or be on a pedestal. I'm not trying to effect change on that level, not because it's not something that should be done, but that's just not my best destiny."
veryGood! (35)
Related
- Jerry Jones lashes out at question about sun's glare at AT&T Stadium after Cowboys' loss
- Michael J. Fox plays guitar with Coldplay at Glastonbury: 'Our hero forever'
- 2024 BET Awards: Killer Mike Shares Blessing That Came One Day After Arrest at Grammy Awards
- Pogacar takes the yellow jersey in the 2nd stage of the Tour de France. Only Vingegaard can keep up
- Dozens indicted over NYC gang warfare that led to the deaths of four bystanders
- MLB trade deadline 2024: Another slugger for Dodgers? 4 deals we want to see
- NBA free agency tracker: LeBron opting out of contract but expected to return to Lakers
- More WestJet flight cancellations as Canadian airline strike hits tens of thousands of travelers
- What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday
- The Biggest Bravo Casting Shakeups of 2024 (So Far)
Ranking
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responds to CeeDee Lamb's excuse about curtains at AT&T Stadium
- Horoscopes Today, June 28, 2024
- Gabby Thomas wins 200 at Olympic track trials; Sha'Carri Richardson fourth
- Gathering of 10,000 hippies in forest shut down as Rainbow Family threatened with jail
- Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
- As climate change makes extremes more extreme, rainfall is no different
- Why the Supreme Court's decision overruling Chevron and limiting federal agencies is so significant
- India wins the Twenty20 World Cup in a thrilling final against South Africa
Recommendation
-
Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
-
Simone Biles secures third trip to the Olympics after breezing to victory at U.S. trials
-
Taylor Swift says at Eras Tour in Dublin that 'Folklore' cottage 'belongs in Ireland'
-
Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey marry: See her dress
-
Mike Tyson has lived a wild life. These 10 big moments have defined his career
-
Germany’s game with Denmark resumes at Euro 2024 after thunderstorm
-
5 things to know about CBS News' 2024 Battleground Tracker election poll analysis
-
NHL draft winners, losers: Surprise pick's priceless reaction, Celine Dion highlight Day 1