Wife of Louis Farrakhan dead at 90

The two had been married for 72 years.

"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 (may Allah be pleased)," a Saturday statement by The Executive Council of the Nation of Islam from Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad said.

"Allah, there is no God but He, He gives life and to Him is our eventual return. Funeral (Janazah) services will be sent as soon as it's available," the statement concluded.

Farrakhan, who survives his wife, is 93.

Born Betsy Ross, Khadijah Farrakhan married her husband, then named Louis Walcott, in Boston on Sept. 12, 1953.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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