In brief
Scott Adams, the cartoonist behind the popular comic strip Dilbert, has died at 68 after a battle with cancer. His ex-wife, Shelly Miles, confirmed the news during a live stream of his podcast. The Dilbert comic, which began in 1989, was a staple in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide but faced cancellation in 2023 following racially charged remarks made by Adams. He was also known for self-help books and had a public fallout due to his controversial opinions. Despite his passing, tributes have poured in from various figures, including former President Donald Trump.
Scott Adams, the US cartoonist who wrote and illustrated the comic strip Dilbert, has died of cancer at the age of 68.
His ex-wife Shelly Miles announced his death on Tuesday during a live stream of his podcast, Real Coffee with Scott Adams.
The satirical cartoon strip - about a competent but frustrated engineer and his dysfunctional workplace environment - was first published in 1989, and went on to feature in more than 2,000 newspapers in 65 countries.
The character also later appeared in books, an animated TV series, and video games. But in 2023, his comic strip was cancelled by newspapers including the Washington Post after Adams was accused of making racist comments about black people.
Adams called black Americans a 'hate group' and suggested white Americans 'get the hell away from black people', in response to a conservative organization's poll about racial sentiments.
He later defended his comments, stating he was using hyperbole for emphasis and that the media ignored the context of his statements.
Former President Donald Trump paid tribute to Adams on Truth Social, saying, 'Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn't fashionable to do so.' Trump praised Adams' strength in battling his illness.
A tearful Shelly Miles told listeners during Adams's podcast, 'He's not with us anymore.' She shared a posthumous message from Adams: 'I had an amazing life, I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want.'
In his later career, Adams - who was also a trained hypnotist - authored self-help books including 'How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big', 'Win Bigly', 'Loserthink', and 'Reframe Your Brain.'
Adams had been receiving end-of-life care at home after his prostate cancer, which he first revealed in May 2025, spread to his bones. Adams shared his prognosis with listeners earlier this year, stating recovery was unlikely.
