Malcolm X's Six Daughters Feud Over The Family Estate

The New York Times reported that the six daughters of the late Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz are in a heated dispute over the family estate as well as never released journals that the assassinated civil rights leader kept while traveling in Africa and the Middle East.

When Dr. Shabazz died tragically in 1997 after a fire set by her own grandson, no will was uncovered and the estate’s affairs were turned over to Westchester County Surrogate’s Court. The proceedings have lasted for more than ten years and there has been much contention over assets and the use of any valuable antiques.

In the midst of sorting out these matters, Malikah Shabazz has alleged that her sisters Ilyasah and Malaak Shabazz were in cahoots with their attorney; neglecting estate taxes and spending estate money inappropriately. On the flip side, Malikah has been accused of questionable mental capacity after removing assorted unpublished writings without authorization, upon which they landed in a Butterfield’s auction room.  The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture stepped in to acquire the collection in 2003 for 75 years at the rate of $400,000.

According to The Times, the sisters; save Malikah, have put their differences behind them, and are ready to move forward with what is best for the estate. One major goal is to account for complete inventory and open up the collections of writing to the public.

Current lawyer for Ilyasah and Malaak; L. Londell McMillan stated,  “We’ll be able to have these very important works curated and presented to the public worldwide, with the dignity and integrity that Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz deserve.”