Scott Adams, ‘Dilbert’ Creator, Dies After Long Prostate Cancer Battle

Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the comic strip “Dilbert,” has passed away at the age of 68 after a lengthy battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His death was announced by his first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, during a broadcast of “Real Coffee With Scott Adams” on January 13, 2026.

During the show, Miles shared a poignant final message from Adams. He expressed that his condition had greatly deteriorated and that if viewers were seeing this message, it was a sign of his poor health, stating, “If you are reading this, things did not go well for me.”

Adams’ Cancer Battle

Scott Adams had been openly discussing his health challenges related to prostate cancer since May 2025. By early January 2026, he indicated that his prognosis was grim, with his chances of recovery described as “essentially zero.” The cartoonist frequently provided updates, revealing issues with his mobility and heart health, which impacted his daily activities.

• Diagnosis: Metastatic prostate cancer, May 2025
• Deterioration notice: January 2026 with “essentially zero” survival chance
• Heart failure and mobility issues reported

Career Highlights

Born in Windham, New York, in 1957, Adams developed a passion for drawing early in life. He graduated with an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, before embarking on a corporate career. In 1995, he transitioned to focus on “Dilbert” full-time, which first appeared in 1989 and became a staple in thousands of publications, known for its humorous take on corporate life.

Adaptations and Publications

“Dilbert” was adapted into an animated series in 1999 and has led to various publications authored by Adams, including:

• “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big” (2013)
• “Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter” (2017)
• “Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America” (2019)

Controversies

In 2023, various outlets ceased publication of “Dilbert” following comments made by Adams that were deemed racist. Despite criticism, he defended his remarks as “obvious hyperbole,” claiming he aimed to highlight racial tensions in the United States.

Legacy

In his final message, Adams reflected on the meaningful connections he made through his work and podcast, which began in 2018. He described it as a platform that helped individuals feel less isolated. Adams leaves behind a legacy of humor and insight, asking others to share their benefits, saying, “Be useful and please know I loved you all to the very end.”

Adams was married to Shelly Miles from 2006 to 2014 and later to Kristina Basham from 2020 until their divorce in 2024. He had no children. His contributions to comedy and commentary will be remembered long after his passing.