Khadijah Farrakhan, Wife of Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan, Dies at 90
The Nation of Islam has announced the passing of Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the wife of the organization's long-standing leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan. She was 90 years old. In an official statement released on Saturday, the Chicago-based religious movement expressed deep sorrow over her transition, opening the announcement with a verse from the Holy Quran reflecting patience, faith, and submission to the divine will. At the time of her passing, she and Minister Farrakhan had been married for over 70 years, a union that spanned the modern evolution of the Nation of Islam.
Born Betsy Ross, she married Louis Eugene Wolcott—who would later become Louis Farrakhan—in 1953. The couple converted to the Nation of Islam in the mid-1950s under the teachings of the sect's longtime leader, Elijah Muhammad, subsequently adopting the names Louis and Khadijah. Throughout their seven decades of marriage, Khadijah Farrakhan served as a foundational pillar of the organization, particularly within the women's development division, the Muslim Girls' Training and General Civilization Class (MGT & GCC). Together, the couple raised nine children and navigated the complex, often turbulent history of the American civil rights and Black nationalist movements.
Within the Nation of Islam community, she was affectionately and reverently referred to as "Mother Khadijah." While her husband frequently commanded international headlines as a highly visible and often polarizing religious and political figure, Khadijah maintained a quieter but deeply influential role behind the scenes. She was widely recognized for her humanitarian endeavors, her dedication to family development, and her work in fostering community outreach initiatives in Chicago and across the United States. NOI members and leadership have praised her as a model of resilience, hospitality, and grace who helped steady the organization through its various institutional transitions.
Tributes and condolences from religious leaders, community activists, and public figures began pouring in immediately following the announcement of her death. The Nation of Islam's official statement requested privacy for the 90-year-old Minister Louis Farrakhan and the extended Farrakhan family as they mourn their matriarch. Details regarding the janazah (Islamic funeral services) and public memorial arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days, marking a solemn milestone for one of the most prominent families in modern American religious history.