The youngest son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Dexter Scott King, has sadly passed away at the age of 62 after a private battle with prostate cancer. The King Center announced the news, revealing that Dexter passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Malibu, with his wife Leah Weber King by his side.
Key Takeaway
Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr., has passed away at 62 after battling prostate cancer. His dedication to continuing his father’s work in the civil rights movement and his striking portrayal of Dr. King in a TV movie have left a lasting impact on his father’s legacy.
A Legacy of Civil Rights
Dexter Scott King, who continued his father’s legacy in the fight for civil rights, was known for his dedication to upholding his father’s work into the 21st century. He notably confronted James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating Dr. King, and publicly questioned him about the events surrounding his father’s death. Dexter also portrayed his father in the 2002 TV movie ‘The Rosa Parks Story,’ a role that highlighted his striking resemblance to Dr. King.
Family Tragedy
Dexter’s passing marks the second loss of Martin Luther King Jr.’s children, following the death of Yolanda King in 2007 due to complications from ovarian cancer. With Dexter’s passing, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King are the remaining living children of the iconic civil rights leader.
