Dexter Scott King Dies of Prostate Cancer, Ryne Sandberg Diagnosed With the Disease

Martin Luther King Jr.'s son, Dexter Scott King died of prostate cancer at age 52.

Credit: Frederick M. Brown - Getty Images

Dexter Scott King, the son of the Civil Rights Activist, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died of prostate cancer on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, according to a statement from the King Center. He was 62 years old.

“He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu. He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might,” Dexter Scott King’s wife, Leah Weber, said in the release.

Dexter Scott King’s brother, Martin Luther King III, tweeted, “I am deeply saddened to share that my brother, Dexter Scott King, has passed away. The sudden shock is devastating. 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.”

At the time of his death, Dexter Scott King was Chairman of The King Center, which, according to its website, “is dedicated to educating the world on the life, legacy and teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” He was also President of the King Estate, and played his father in the 2002 TV movie, “The Rosa Parks Story.”

The Carter Center wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “We send our love and deepest condolences to the King family on the passing of Dexter Scott King. His legacy as a humanitarian and Civil Rights activist lives on. May he rest in peace.”

The King family announced that they will respond to media inquiries on a Jan. 23 press conference.

MLB Hall-of-Famer, Ryne Sandberg, has metastatic prostate cancer.

Ryne Sandberg, a long-time Chicago Cubs player and MLB Hall-of-Famer, announced on Monday that he received a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. The 64-year-old announced his diagnosis on Instagram.

He wrote: "To my Chicago Cubs, National Baseball Hall of Fame, extended Baseball Family, the city of Chicago and all my loyal fans, I want to share some personal news," Sandberg wrote. "Last week, I learned that I have been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. I have begun treatment, and I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret, our incredibly supportive family, the best medical care team and our dear friends.

"We will continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for me and my family."

According to ESPN, Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star during his 15 seasons for the Chicago Cubs, for whom he played from 1982 to 1997. After he retired as a player, he was manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015.

"We cannot imagine how incredibly tough it is right now for Ryne and his family, but we do know Ryne is one tough competitor and a winner," the Cubs said in a statement. "We are rallying around his family with locked arms as they begin their journey to conquer this battle with cancer."

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