The Six Daughters Of Malcolm X: Where Are They Now? The $100 Million Lawsuit And Current Legacy
Few families in American history have carried a burden of both immense legacy and profound tragedy quite like the children of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. The human rights activist, known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was assassinated in 1965, leaving behind his wife, who was pregnant, and four young daughters. Today, in late 2024, the six daughters—Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malikah, and Malaak Shabazz—continue to shape their father's narrative, not just through remembrance, but through direct action, including a high-profile legal battle that has brought the 60-year-old assassination back into the national spotlight.
The story of the Shabazz sisters is one of resilience, activism, and a fierce commitment to preserving the true, complex legacy of their father, moving beyond the controversial figure of the Nation of Islam era to focus on the global human rights leader he became. From published authors and motivational speakers to diplomats and designers, each daughter has carved a unique path while remaining fiercely united in their mission to seek justice for their father's murder and safeguard his historical significance for future generations.
Complete Biography Profile: The Six Daughters of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz
Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little) and Dr. Betty Shabazz (born Betty Dean Sanders) were married in 1958 and had six daughters, all of whom carry the surname Shabazz. The twins, Malikah and Malaak, were born after their father's death, making their mother's strength in the face of tragedy a central part of their family history.
- Attallah Shabazz
- Born: November 16, 1958, in New York City.
- Profession: Author, motivational speaker, diplomat, and producer. She served as the Ambassador-at-Large for Belize.
- Role in Legacy: As the eldest, Attallah was present at the Audubon Ballroom in 1965 during the assassination. She has been a prominent voice in the Civil Rights Movement's continued struggle and the preservation of her parents' memory.
- Qubilah Bahiyah Shabazz
- Born: December 25, 1960.
- Profession: She has largely maintained a private life but has been involved in family initiatives.
- Role in Legacy: Qubilah also witnessed her father's assassination. She was involved in a highly publicized legal case in 1995 related to an alleged plot to murder Louis Farrakhan, which was later dismissed.
- Ilyasah Shabazz
- Born: July 22, 1962.
- Profession: Author, activist, speaker, and educator. She holds a Master of Science in Education and is a professor.
- Role in Legacy: Ilyasah is one of the most public faces of the family's efforts, having authored several books, including the memoir Growing Up X, and the award-winning picture book Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. She frequently speaks on her father's human rights philosophy.
- Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz
- Born: Circa 1964.
- Profession: Clothing designer and entrepreneur.
- Role in Legacy: Gamilah is known to have collaborated on the "Malcolm X Legacy" clothing line, using fashion to honor her father's style and message. She has pursued a career in the arts, including theater arts and fashion design.
- Malikah Shabazz (Deceased)
- Born: September 30, 1965 (twin).
- Deceased: November 22, 2021, at the age of 56.
- Role in Legacy: Along with her twin, she represents the children Malcolm X never met. She maintained a relatively private life but was involved in family issues and the ongoing fight for justice.
- Malaak Shabazz
- Born: September 30, 1965 (twin).
- Profession: Private life, but a staunch supporter of the family's efforts to preserve the legacy.
- Role in Legacy: The youngest of the six, Malaak continues to honor her parents' memory through various family and foundation activities, often appearing alongside her sisters at commemorative events.
The Explosive $100 Million Lawsuit: A Fight for Truth in 2024
A major, current development that has dominated headlines in late 2023 and 2024 is the landmark legal action taken by three of Malcolm X's daughters: Ilyasah Shabazz, Qubilah Shabazz, and Gamilah Shabazz. In November 2023, the sisters filed a sweeping $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, the FBI, the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the New York District Attorney's office.
This lawsuit is not merely a civil claim; it is a direct accusation that these government agencies and the city of New York played a role in the wrongful death of Malcolm X on February 21, 1965. The legal action was announced during a press conference at the Malcolm X & Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in New York City, drawing significant media attention.
The family's legal team, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, has cited new evidence and information that has come to light, particularly a "deathbed letter" from a former NYPD officer, Raymond Wood. This letter, which was made public in 2021, alleged that the NYPD and FBI conspired to facilitate the assassination by ensuring Malcolm X's security detail was arrested just days before his death.
The filing of this lawsuit nearly 60 years after the event underscores the family's unwavering pursuit of justice and their belief that the full truth about the assassination of the human rights icon has yet to be revealed. The case is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to hold the government accountable for its alleged surveillance and infiltration of Black political movements during the Civil Rights era.
The Enduring Legacy: Authorship, Activism, and Education
Beyond the legal battle, the six daughters have dedicated their lives to ensuring their father's message—particularly his evolution from a separatist voice in the Nation of Islam to a global advocate for human rights—is accurately represented.
Ilyasah Shabazz, in particular, has become a prolific author and speaker, determined to rewrite the script on her family's legacy. She often travels to colleges and universities, urging students to carry on her father's mission of social change and to see him as a figure of transformation and global consciousness.
Attallah Shabazz, the eldest, has focused on diplomacy and motivational speaking, using her platform to discuss issues of social justice, peace, and the complex nature of identity and heritage. Her work as an Ambassador-at-Large highlights the international dimension of her father’s later life and philosophy.
The sisters collectively manage the legacy through institutions like the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, which is located at the site of the former Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was killed. This center serves as a vital educational resource, ensuring that the next generation understands the profound impact of both Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, who herself was a powerful figure in education and health.
The Family Name: Carrying the Shabazz Mantle
It is a point of historical clarity that all of Malcolm X’s children and grandchildren use the surname Shabazz. This name was bestowed upon Malcolm X while he was in the Nation of Islam, representing a return to his "original" name, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, after his pilgrimage to Mecca.
The daughters' decision to carry the Shabazz name, which was also their mother's, signifies a powerful and unified front. It honors the strength of Dr. Betty Shabazz, who raised all six children as a single mother while earning her PhD and becoming a respected university administrator and professor. Her resilience in the face of immense personal and political pressure is a cornerstone of the family's own legacy.
From the youngest, Malaak, to the eldest, Attallah, the six Shabazz sisters are a living testament to the enduring power of their parents' commitment to justice, education, and human dignity. Their current legal fight against powerful government entities is a dramatic, modern chapter in a story that began over six decades ago, proving that the struggle for the truth behind Malcolm X's life and death is far from over.
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