History of Dexter King in Timeline

"Dexter Scott King is an American civil and animal rights activist and author. He is the second son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and brother to Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, and Yolanda King. King authored the book "Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir".

January 30, 1961: Dexter Scott King is born

Dexter Scott King, the second son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, was born on January 30, 1961.

1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

At the young age of seven, Dexter Scott King witnessed the news of his father's assassination on television with his brother, Martin III, in 1968.

1972: Dexter attends Democratic National Convention

Dexter Scott King's interest in politics was sparked by attending the Democratic National Convention in 1972.

1979: Dexter enrolls at Morehouse College

Following in his father's footsteps, Dexter Scott King began studying business administration at Morehouse College in 1979.

1984: Dexter leaves Morehouse College

In 1984, Dexter Scott King left Morehouse College before graduating.

May 1989: Dexter named successor of the King Center

Dexter Scott King was named the successor to his mother, Coretta Scott King, as president of the King Center in May 1989.

1994: Dexter resumes presidency at the King Center

Dexter Scott King resumed his position as president of the King Center in 1994.

1997: Dexter meets with James Earl Ray

Dexter Scott King met with James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating his father in 1968, in 1997. During the meeting, King asked Ray if he killed his father, to which Ray replied, "No-no I didn't." King expressed his belief in Ray's innocence, a sentiment shared by the rest of the King family.

1999: "Our Friend, Martin" film release

Dexter Scott King provided the voice for his father, Martin Luther King Jr., in the 1999 educational film "Our Friend, Martin."

2002: Dexter portrays his father in "The Rosa Parks Story"

Dexter Scott King took on the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2002 television movie, "The Rosa Parks Story."

January 30, 2006: Coretta Scott King passes away

Coretta Scott King, mother of Dexter Scott King, died on January 30, 2006, at the age of 78, coincidentally on Dexter's 45th birthday.

May 15, 2007: Yolanda King passes away

Dexter Scott King's older sister, Yolanda King, died on May 15, 2007, at the age of 51. Dexter had spoken with her just an hour before her death.

July 11, 2008: Lawsuit filed against Dexter

Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, along with the estate of Coretta King, filed a lawsuit against Dexter Scott King on July 11, 2008, alleging improper handling of funds from their parents' estate.

October 2009: Lawsuit settled out of court

The lawsuit filed against Dexter Scott King by his siblings was settled out of court in October 2009.

2010: The King siblings support the census

In a show of unity after their legal disputes, Dexter Scott King and his siblings publicly supported the 2010 census.

August 24, 2013: 50th anniversary of March on Washington

Dexter Scott King attended the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on August 24, 2013, where his father delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

2016: Dispute over Nobel Peace Prize medal settled

The remaining legal dispute among the King siblings regarding the ownership of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize medal was settled out of court in 2016.