Minister Louis Farrakhan was married to his wife, Khadijah (age 90 at the time of passing), for 72 years, and their family includes nine children: Mustapha, Joshua, Abnar, Louis Jr., Donna, Hanan, Maria, Fatimah, and Khallada.
The landscape of the Nation of Islam has been marked by a profound and recent loss. On June 27, 2026, the organization announced the passing of its beloved “First Lady,” Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, at the age of 90. Her death marks the end of an era for the Farrakhan family and the wider community, concluding a partnership that spanned more than seven decades.
For 72 years, Khadijah Farrakhan stood as the unwavering pillar beside one of the most influential and controversial figures in American religious and political life, Minister Louis Farrakhan. While her husband was a public and often polarizing orator, Mother Khadijah was known for her quiet strength and dignity, a presence that provided the foundation for his work. Her passing has brought renewed attention to the family that formed the bedrock of the Minister’s personal life.
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A Marriage of Seven Decades
The story of Louis and Khadijah Farrakhan began in 1953 when Louis Eugene Walcott, then a young calypso singer known as “The Charmer,” married Betsy Ross. The wedding took place on September 12, 1953, at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church in Boston. At the time, Louis was a student at Winston-Salem Teachers College, but he made the significant decision to leave school during his senior year to support his wife during her pregnancy.
Their union was a journey of shared transformation. Just two years after their marriage, in 1955, they converted to Islam together after Louis was introduced to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. This pivotal moment saw Betsy adopt the name Khadijah, and Louis become Louis X, a name that would later evolve into the globally recognized Louis Farrakhan.
Mother Khadijah was more than just a spouse; she was a leader in her own right within the Nation of Islam, earning the title of “First Lady of the Nation of Islam”. She was a vocal advocate for the role of women in society and the family unit, famously stating at the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, “A nation can rise no higher than its women”. Their partnership was celebrated even in their final years.
In May 2025, just over a year before her passing, a special event was held in Chicago to honor Minister Farrakhan’s 92nd birthday and, more poignantly, to celebrate Mother Khadijah’s “unwavering strength and grace” on Mother’s Day. At the event, she was lovingly described as “the wind beneath his wings”.
A Family of Nine Children
The Farrakhan family is a large one, consisting of nine kids who represent the legacy of this historic union. Their children are Mustapha, Joshua Nasir, Abnar, Louis Junior, Donna, Hanan, Maria, Fatimah, and Khallada.
Tragedy has touched the family. Their eldest son, Louis Farrakhan Jr., passed away in 2018 at the age of 60. The Nation of Islam reported that he died peacefully in his sleep at the family home in Phoenix, Arizona, due to a pre-existing heart condition. Following the passing of Mother Khadijah, the Nation of Islam confirmed that eight of the nine kids are still living. The couple’s commitment to family was a cornerstone of their lives.
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In a powerful statement reflecting her philosophy, Mother Khadijah emphasized the importance of unity, saying, “We focus on women but cannot lose sight that we must rise as a family — men, women and children”. This dedication to family, faith, and community defined their 72-year marriage and stands as a significant part of their enduring story.
