The father of Rev. Al Sharpton has died, the MSNBC host announced Saturday. He was 93.
“I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing of my father, Al Sharpton, Sr. Our relationship was complicated, but he was still my father,” the civil rights activist, 69, said in a statement.
“Over the past 18 years, I was able to work through my pain and feelings of abandonment, and we built a relationship that meant a lot to me.
The senior Sharpton died in Orlando, Florida on Friday, he said.
Sharpton urged his followers to use his father’s passing as an opportunity to reconcile damaged relationships with loved ones and family.
“Born and raised in Jim Crow Florida, he later came to New York City and became a successful entrepreneur. Though his weaknesses may have cost him, he instilled in my sister and me (and later our other siblings) a mentality of independence and self-pride. I’ve learned from my own mistakes and from his. May my Daddy rest in peace,” he said.