The Nation of Islam announced on Saturday that Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the organization’s First Lady and wife of Minister Louis Farrakhan for more than seven decades, has passed away at the age of 90. In a statement issued on behalf of the Executive Council by Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad, the organization confirmed that she returned to Allah. Her passing marks the end of an era for the organization and the broader community. She stood alongside her husband as he rose through the ranks of the organization, eventually assuming leadership in the early 1980s. Throughout his ministry, she maintained a presence that combined public action with quiet strength behind the scenes.
Born Betsy Ross in Boston in November 1935, she met her future husband when he was still known as Louis Eugene Walcott, a talented young violinist and calypso singer. The two married in September 1953 at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church in Boston. Two years later, they converted to Islam after learning about the teachings of the Nation of Islam from Rodney Smith, a fellow musician. This decision set them on a path that would shape the history of American religious and social movements. Upon her conversion, she took the name Khadijah Farrakhan, signaling her devotion to her faith and her family.
During the early years of her husband’s ministry, she focused on raising their large family while supporting the work of the temples in Boston and later in Harlem. Together, the couple raised nine children. They navigated the challenges of public life and intense scrutiny, remaining unified through decades of struggle. Their eldest son, Louis Farrakhan Jr., passed away in 2018, a loss that deeply affected the family. Her surviving children, Mustapha, Joshua Nasir, Abnar, Donna, Hanan, Maria, Fatimah, and Khallada, have continued to support the family’s mission in various capacities.
While her husband occupied the public spotlight, her influence was deeply felt within the organization. She played a key role in organizing women’s initiatives, teaching home economics, and providing guidance to the Muslim Girls’ Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. & G.C.C.). Her work emphasized self-reliance, dignity, and spiritual growth. She was not merely a supportive spouse. She was an organizer who helped build the structure that sustained the organization through its rebuilding phase in the late 1970s and 1980s.
One of her most visible public moments came in October 1997, when she addressed the Million Woman March in Philadelphia. Speaking to a massive gathering of Black women, she delivered a speech that addressed the responsibilities and potential of women in the struggle for progress. She famously stated that a nation can rise no higher than its women, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the crowd and remains a cornerstone of her teachings. Her appearance at the march showcased her ability to connect with people directly, offering words of encouragement and structural focus.
In recent years, the community continued to honor her contributions. In November 2025, her 90th birth anniversary was celebrated with a unity broadcast and tributes from across the country. Earlier that year, during Mother’s Day, she was recognized during a celebration at The Salaam Restaurant in Chicago. The event marked her husband’s 92nd birthday and paid homage to her unwavering steadiness. Leaders and members of the community spoke of her as the wind beneath the Minister’s wings, highlighting her quiet determination and commitment to their shared spiritual path.
Her passing has prompted expressions of grief and remembrance from leaders and organizations worldwide. The Nation of Islam has stated that details regarding funeral services, known as Janazah, will be shared as they become available. As the family and followers mourn, they also celebrate a life of dedication. Her legacy as the Mother of the Faithful within the organization remains secure, defined by decades of service, maternal leadership, and spiritual devotion.
