Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s wife Khadijah dies aged 90

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s wife Khadijah dies aged 90 Known affectionately as ‘Mother Khadijah’, she worked alongside her husband for decades - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Khadijah Farrakhan, the wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, has died at the age of 90, the organisation announced on Saturday. Known affectionately as "Mother Khadijah", she worked alongside her husband for decades, playing a significant role in leading their religious and sociopolitical movement, which champions Black self-reliance. The couple resided at Mosque Maryam, the Nation of Islam's headquarters on Chicago's south side. A statement released by the Shura Executive Council conveyed the news, stating: "The Honorable Minister @LouisFarrakhan with deep sadness yet with profound gratitude to Allah informs you that his beloved wife of 72 years, the first lady of the Nation of Islam, Mother Khadijah has returned to Allah (may Allah be pleased)." Her passing comes just seven months after her 90th birthday was celebrated by devotees. Details regarding funeral services are expected to be announced. Tributes have poured in, with Mosque Maryam remembering Farrakhan as "a devoted follower" with "a precious soul, a sweet heart." R&B artist ZaRio Son Rise also honoured her, describing her as "a true queen, a righteous woman, and one of the greatest examples of dignity, faith, loyalty, and grace our generation has ever witnessed." Born Betsy Ross, Khadijah Farrakhan married her husband, then named Louis Walcott, in Boston on 12 September, 1953. The two had nine children. Their eldest son, Louis Farrakhan Jr., died in 2018, and son Joshua Farrakhan died in 2023. Khadijah Farrakhan converted to Islam in 1955, the same year that her husband joined the Chicago-based movement after being heavily influenced Malcolm X, his friend from Boston. The pair changed their names around that time. Louis Farrakhan stepped into the organization's leadership vacuum shortly after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965. Among his most significant accomplishments was the Million Man March on Washington in 1995. Two years later, Khadijah Farrakhan spoke before a gathering of America's Black women in Philadelphia dubbed the Million Woman March. “A nation can rise no higher than its women," she told the crowd. "We focus on women but cannot lose sight that we must rise as a family -- men, women and children.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments