Scott Adams, the influential cartoonist, author and social commentator best known for creating the long-running comic strip Dilbert, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, following complications from stage-4 prostate cancer. He was 68.
His death was announced during the “Coffee with Scott Adams” podcast by Shelly Adams, his first wife and ex-wife, who read a prepared message Adams wrote days earlier as his condition rapidly declined. In his final weeks, the cancer led to paralysis and hospice care.
Adams said in the message that he was of “sound mind” as he wrote it on Jan. 1, 2026, emphasizing that his mental clarity remained intact even as his body failed.
“If you are reading this, things did not go well for me,” Adams wrote. “My body failed before my brain.”
Known for his sharp wit and analytical approach to persuasion, Adams addressed concerns about his estate and decision-making directly, stating that he was acting freely and without improper influence.
One of the most striking portions of the message addressed faith. Long known for describing himself as a nonbeliever, Adams revealed that he had made a final, deeply personal decision.
“Many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go,” he wrote. “I’m not a believer but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me, so here I go. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending an eternity with Him.”
He added that any remaining doubts would be resolved if he awoke “in heaven,” concluding with characteristic humility and humor: “I hope I am still qualified for entry.”
After reading the message, Shelly went on to share Scott’s reflections on how he chose to live his life, describing a man driven by curiosity, disciplined thinking and an unrelenting desire to understand human behavior.
Adams rose to international prominence in the 1990s with Dilbert, a comic strip that skewered corporate culture, bureaucracy and workplace absurdities with deadpan precision. The strip appeared in thousands of newspapers worldwide and spawned books, calendars, television adaptations and a devoted following.
Beyond cartooning, Adams became a prolific author and commentator, frequently discussing persuasion, psychology, systems thinking and current events. His outspoken views at times drew controversy, but he remained unapologetically committed to independent thought and open debate.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
