Cartoonist Scott Adams, best known for creating the hilariously relatable, satirical comic strip “Dilbert,” has died at the age of 68 following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Adams’ ex-wife, Shelly Miles, revealed the news via the “Real Coffee With Scott Adams” YouTube show. Miles also shared a “final message” from Adams.
“If you are reading this, things did not go well for me. I have a few things to say before I go. My body failed before my brain,” she read, noting that Adams professed to be “of sound mind” when he wrote the note.
“Many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. 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. The part about me not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven. I won’t need any more convincing than that. I hope I’m still qualified for entry.”
A Final Message From Scott Adams pic.twitter.com/QKX6b0MFZA
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 13, 2026
The letter goes on with the story of Adams’ life. “I had an amazing life,” he said via Miles at one point. “I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits for my work, I’m asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That’s the legacy I want: Be useful and please know I loved you all to the very end.”
Adams announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025.
“I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has. I also have prostate cancer that has also spread to my bones,” the beloved cartoonist said. “My life expectancy is maybe this summer. I expect to be checking out from this domain sometime this summer.” He noted that he’d been dealing with the cancer for some time and that it had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his bones.
Miles told TMZ that Adams had begun hospice care earlier this week at his home in Northern California as his health had begun declining “rapidly.”
Adams created “Dilbert” in 1989, and it quickly grew in popularity as white-collar workers related to the pitfalls of office life and clueless managers.
“[I]n many cases the least competent, least smart people are promoted, simply because they’re the ones you don’t want doing actual work,” Adams said during a 2002 interview. “You want them ordering the doughnuts and yelling at people for not doing their assignments — you know, the easy work. Your heart surgeons and your computer programmers — your smart people — aren’t in management.”
At its height, Dilbert was syndicated in 2,000 newspapers in 57 countries and 19 languages. There were also comic books, a TV show, endless merchandise, and worldwide recognition. Adams was ostracized from the mainstream after broadcasting his conservative views and making statements about race, which were deemed problematic by the Left.
Adams said he was floored when President Trump called him personally after he revealed his cancer diagnosis. Trump also shared his condolences Tuesday morning shortly after Adams’ death was announced.
“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. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott,” the president shared on Truth Social alongside a photo of him and Adams posing together.
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