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Khadijah Farrakhan, 'first lady of Nation of Islam' as wife of famous pastor, dies at 90
By JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
Khadijah Farrakhan, longtime wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, died Saturday, the Nation of Islam has announced. She was 90. “Mother Khadijah” worked alongside her provocative and charismatic husband for decades, helping lead their religious and sociopolitical movement, which espous...
Key takeaway “Mother Khadijah” worked alongside her provocative and charismatic husband for decades, helping lead their religious and sociopolitical movement, which espouses Black self-reliance.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The passing of Khadijah Farrakhan marks the end of an era for a movement that, although based elsewhere, has had a presence in the Permian Basin area. As the wife of Louis Farrakhan, she played a crucial role in shaping the Nation of Islam's message of Black self-reliance, which has resonated with some in Odessa 's own African American community. While the movement's activities in the area may not be as prominent as in other parts of the country, the Farrakhans' influence has still been felt locally, with some residents drawn to their teachings on empowerment and community building. As the Nation of Islam moves forward without its matriarch, it will be worth watching how the organization's local presence evolves, and whether its message continues to find an audience in Odessa and the surrounding region. The legacy of Mother Khadijah will likely be remembered by those who were inspired by her dedication to the cause.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Khadijah Farrakhan, longtime wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, died Saturday, the Nation of Islam has announced. She was 90. “Mother Khadijah” worked alongside her provocative and charismatic husband for decades, helping lead their religious and sociopolitical movement, which espous...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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