In a statement obtained by WSB, the King Center said Dexter Scott King died “after a valiant battle with prostate cancer.”
“He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu,” his wife, Leah Weber King, said in a statement. “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 died days before what would have been his 63rd birthday, WSB reported. He was born in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1961, and was only seven when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
He devoted his life to perpetuating and protecting his father’s legacy, according to the King Center. He was serving as the chairman of the King Center and the board of the King Estate at the time of his death.
On Monday, his brother, Martin Luther King III, asked people to pray for the King family.
His sister, the Rev. Bernice King, added, “Words cannot express the heart break I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this very difficult time.”
Family members said plans for a memorial service will be shared later.
Dexter Scott King is survived by his wife of 11 years, Bernice King, Martin Luther King III and a niece, Yolanda Renee King.
Dexter Scott King Martin Luther King III (6) and Dexter (3), the sons of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King, February 1964. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King FILE - This 1966 file photo is the last official portrait taken of the entire King family, made in the study of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. From left are Dexter King, Yolanda King, Martin Luther King Jr., Bernice King, Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King III. The King Center in Atlanta said the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File) (Uncredited/AP)
Dexter Scott King American civil rights campaigner, and widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King (1927 - 2006) (center left, in black) and civil rights leader Reverend Ralph Abernathy (1926 - 1990) (center, right) lead a massive march following the assassination of husband only days earlier, Memphis, Tennessee, April 8, 1968. With them are, King's daughter Yolanda (1955 - 2007) (in white coat at left), singer Harry Belafonte, Kings' sons Martin Luther King III and Dexter Scott King, and fellow civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Reverend Jesse Jackson (visible directly behind Coretta Scott King). (Photo by Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images) (Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King Family of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in car on the day of viewing his body as it lies in state at Sister's Chapel at Spelman College. In the front is Dexter, 7, and Martin the 3rd, 11.Behind them in the red coat on the left is their sister Yolanda, 12, next to their mother. To the left of Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr., is the youngest daughter, Bernice, 5. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Dexter Scott King Coretta Scott King (1927 - 2006, centre, left), widow of assassinated American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr (1929 - 1968) and her children in her late husband’s funeral procession on their way to a public service at Morehouse College, King's alma mater, Atlanta, Georgia, 9th April 1968. Left to right: M.L.K’s younger brother, A.D. King (1930 - 1969), Coretta Scott King and civil rights leaders Ralph Abernathy (1926 - 1990) and Stokely Carmichael (1941 - 1998). (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images) (Bob Verlin/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King (Original Caption) Atlanta. Members of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family (left to right) Martin Luther King, III, Coretta Scott King, son Dexter, and daughter Bernice, wear tee shirts supporting Martin's bid for the Fulton county Commission as they leave their voting precinct after casting their ballots in Georgia democratic Primary 8/12. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Dexter Scott King President Reagan signs Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday proclamation, with (L-R) Coretta Scott King, son Dexter, sister-in-law Christine Farris, Pierce & Abernathy. (Photo by Diana Walker/Getty Images) (Diana Walker/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: Coretta Scott King with her children (L-R) Dexter, Bernice & Martin Luther III in Washington on the day her husband's birthday was declared a National holiday. (Photo by Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images) (Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King Coretta Scott King, Dexter King, and President George HW Bush, 1988. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images) (Afro Newspaper/Gado/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: Coretta Scott King (L), widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, passes the Olympic Flame to her son Dexter Scott King 19 July in Atlanta. The Kings were part of a relay taking the flame around Atlanta before the opening ceremonies later 19 July. (for editorial use only) (Photo credit should read MICHEL GANGNE/AFP via Getty Images) (MICHEL GANGNE/AFP via Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King (L-R) US President Bill Clinton, Coretta Scott King and Dexter King, widow & son of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at graveside ceremony honoring the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. (Photo by Diana Walker/Getty Images) (Diana Walker/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King FILE - Dexter King, son of the the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., speaks at a news conference in Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 28, 1994. The King Center in Atlanta said the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (AP Photo/Leita Cowart, File) (Leita Cowart/AP)
Dexter Scott King FILE - Dexter King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., speaks to the press outlining his family's plan for an interactive museum to be built at the MLK Center in Atlanta, Dec. 28, 1994. Dexter Scott King, the younger son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died after battling prostate cancer. The King Center in Atlanta says the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (AP Photo/Leita Cowart, file) (Leita Cowart/AP)
Dexter Scott King FILE - Dexter King, son of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., pictured in background, speaks to the media during a news conference Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997, in Atlanta in which the King family asked that James Earl Ray be brought to trial for the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Center in Atlanta said the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner, File) (Alan Mothner/AP)
Dexter Scott King FILE - Dexter King, son of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., listens to arguments in the State Court of Criminal Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 29, 1997, to determine whether two Memphis judges have overstepped their authority surrounding the investigation of the King assassination. The King Center in Atlanta said the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (Helen Comer/The Jackson Sun via AP, Pool, File) (Helen Comer/AP)
Dexter Scott King Dexter Scott King during Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner 20th Anniversary Holiday Observance at King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Moses Robinson/WireImage) (Moses Robinson/WireImage)
Dexter Scott King FILE - The children of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, from left, Martin Luther King, Jr. III, Dexter King, Yolanda King and Bernice King stand next to a new crypt dedicated to their parents in Atlanta, Monday Nov. 20, 2006. The King Center in Atlanta said Dexter, the 62-year-old son of the civil rights leader, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at his California home after battling prostate cancer. (AP Photo/W.A. Harewood, File) (W.A. Harewood/AP)
Dexter Scott King ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 08: Martin Luther King III (L) and Dexter Scott King (R) at Dr. Christine King Farris 90th Birthday Celebration at King Family Birth Home Historic Site on September 8, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 23: (L-R) Martin Luther King III, Dr. Bernice King, and Dexter Scott King attend "The Redemption Project With Van Jones" Atlanta Screening at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site on May 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 14: Dexter King at 2019 V-103 Winterfest at State Farm Arena on December 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage) (Prince Williams/WireImage)
Dexter Scott King Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr. has died. (The King Center)