Dexter Scott King - the esteemed son of iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. - breathed his last on Monday at his residence in Malibu, California.
The 62-year-old, who valiantly battled prostate cancer, succumbed peacefully in his sleep, as confirmed by his wife, Leah Weber King.
Dexter Scott King, a pivotal figure in the continuation of his father's legacy, served as the chairperson of the King Center in Atlanta.
His life, dedicated to the principles of justice and equality, encompassed roles as an attorney, guardian of intellectual property, and president of the King estate.
The King Center's announcement brought forth expressions of grief and condolences from leaders and citizens alike. Atlanta's Mayor, Andre Dickens, extended his sympathies, stating, "His profound and unwavering love for his family positioned him as a guardian of his father and mother’s legacies."
A Morehouse College graduate, Dexter King wore various hats in his illustrious career - humanitarian, civil rights activist, and even actor. Mayor Dickens reflected, "Above all, he was a devoted family man."
Dexter Scott King's untimely demise follows the passing of his mother, Coretta Scott King, in 2006, and his sister, Yolanda King, in 2007. Martin Luther King III, Dexter's older brother, shared the family's grief, expressing, "The sudden shock is devastating. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers."
Dexter, who was only seven when his father was tragically assassinated in 1968, navigated the challenges of bearing his father's revolutionary name. In an interview with CNN, he recollected the chaotic and traumatic period surrounding his father's assassination.
Despite the expectations and comparisons, Dexter pursued a path that intertwined with his father's legacy, co-authoring a memoir, "Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir," and even portraying his father in the 2002 film, "The Rosa Parks Story."
