Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, dies at 90

CHICAGO — Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the longtime wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, has died, the organization announced Saturday.

She was 90.

Born in 1935, Mother Khadijah married Farrakhan in 1953 and embraced Islam in 1955. For more than seven decades, she stood beside him as the First Lady of the Nation of Islam. She raised nine children and served as a steady, grounding force within their family and community.

Mother Khadijah Farrakhan: A Life of Devotion and Faith

In a statement shared online, the Nation of Islam said:

“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan 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,” the statement reads. “We thank Allah for the precious life of a loving wife, mother, a faithful devoted follower of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Mother Khadijah will forever be cherished and remembered. May Allah give His unequaled comfort to the family as we mourn this tremendous loss and lift the family in our prayers and thoughts.”

For decades, she supported her husband’s leadership. She guided family life, encouraged community programs and remained a respected figure within the movement.

At the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Khadijah took the stage just as her husband did when he organized the 1995 Million Man March in Washington D.C.

“A nation can rise no higher than its women,” Khadijah said. “We focus on women but cannot lose sight that we must rise as a family — men, women and children.”

A Central Figure in the Farrakhan Family

Family members and followers describe her as gentle, disciplined and deeply committed to faith. They say her influence shaped generations within the Nation of Islam. Although she rarely sought public attention, her presence remained central to the organization’s internal life.

Her work extended beyond public events. She supported youth programs, educational efforts and community outreach. Many members viewed her as a symbol of stability and devotion.

Community Asked to Pray for the Family

The Nation of Islam asked supporters to keep the Farrakhan family in their prayers as they mourn “this tremendous loss.” Tributes began circulating online shortly after the announcement, with followers honoring her legacy and expressing gratitude for her decades of service.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.