Louis Farrakhan Children, Wife, Parents, Net Worth, Bio

Quick Facts

Louis Farrakhan is a renowned American social activist, commentator, black nationalist; best known for being the leader of the religious group called the Nation of Islam. He has worked as a minister in Islamic mosques in Harlem as well as Boston. Currently, he is serving as the National Representative of the Nation of Islam. In addition to being a religious leader, Louis is equally a talented musician who became popular during the 1950s following his exceptional musical prowess. Learn more about the Nation of Islam leader below.

Louis Farrakhan’s Bio

Loius Farrakhan was born as Louis Eugene Walcott on 11th May 1933 in The Bronx, New York City, New York in the United States. He is one of the two sons born to Sarah Mae Manning and her husband Percival Clark. While he was growing up, Louis was trained in violin and by the time he was thirteen, the young Louis started playing in different shows and concerts. He reportedly played with Boston College Orchestra as well as the Boston Civic Symphony. He also won national competitions and other shows including the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour.

The young and talented Walcott went on to attend Boston Latin school and subsequently; he graduated from the English High School situated in Boston. Soon after his graduation, Louis enrolled at Winston-Salem Teachers College where earned a scholarship in track and field.

Upon graduation, Louis Farrakhan began his musical career in the 1950s. He adopted the name Charmer with which he began to record several calypso albums. By 1955, Louis started making headlines after changing his name to Calypso Gene. He featured in several tours and played in several concerts including his own show titled Calypso Follies. His exceptional music style made him a stand out musician at the time and one of his songs topped the American Top 100 Billboard Music Chart for over five years consecutively.

Nation of Islam Leadership

While he was going deeper into his musical career, Loius got in contact with the teachings of the Nation of Islam through his friend Rodney Smith. Smith is also a talented saxophonist from Boston. Seeing that the Nation of Islam propagates similar belief like him, Louis quickly joined the NOI. After fulfilling the basic requirements of being a member of the group, Louis received the sign X showing he has become a placeholder in the group. He was later given the name ‘Farrakhan’ which means ‘The Criterion.’

Soon after he joined the group, Louis was made to choose between the group and his music career. Of course, he chose the nation over his musical career. Subsequently, his popularity began to increase and he rose through the ranks in the NOI. Following Malcolm X’s transfer from the Boston Mosque, Louis was made the official minister of the mosque by their leader Elijah Mohammad. He was equally promoted to the rank of Sunni Imam from 1975 to 1978.

The population of the Nation of Islam has continued to increase significantly and Farrakhan has been instrumental to that. As a Representative of the Nation, he has issued statements over several issues including the US War interventions in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, among others. He has been considered as a racist and antisemitic by many based on his controversial political comments and views. Notably, President denounced Farrakhan’s endorsement for his presidency because of his teachings.

Net Worth: How Much is Louis Farrakhan Worth?

The Nation of Islam leader is very talented and has made a lot of wealth for himself. Louis Farrakhan has an estimated net worth os $3 million. He earns his net worth from his musical career as well as his leadership of the Nation of Islam.

Family: Parents and Wife

Just like we mentioned earlier that Louis was born to Sarah Mae Manning and her then-husband Percival Clark. His father is originally from Jamaica while his mother is from Saint Kitts and Nevis; both parents have immigrated to the United States from the Caribbean islands. Loius didn’t see much of his father as a child because his parents separated soon after he was born. His mother later moved in with a man named Loius Walcott who became Louis’ stepfather.

Sadly, his stepfather Walcott passed on in 1936 and after his death, Louis, his brother and their mother moved to Boston Massachusetts where they were raised in Roxbury. He was raised as a member of the Episcopal St. Cyprian’s Church situated in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Louis Farrakhan has been successful in his career and same can be said of his personal life. The NOI leader is happily married to his long-term girlfriend and college sweetheart named Betsy Ross. The duo met during their days at Winston-Salem Teachers College. Afterward, they kicked off their relationship and eventually got married while still in college. When Louis was in his junior year, his wife Betsy became pregnant; due to the complications of her pregnancy, Loius had to drop out of college to take a career of his wife and their child. Since then, they have continued to enjoy a wonderful married life.

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Louis Farrakhan’s Children

The amazing couple has a total of nine children, four sons named Louis Jr., Mustapha, Joshua Nasir, and Abnar Farrakhan; as well as five daughters named Khllada, Hanan, Donna, Maria, and Fatimah Farrakhan. In addition, Farrakhan’s wife Betsy who also converted to Islam later changed her name to Khadijah Farrakhan and she is currently the First Lady of the Nation of Islam. His son, Mustapha Farrakhan serves as the captain of the group while his daughter Donna is a minister for the NOI.

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