Scott Adams, the renowned cartoonist and author best known for creating the iconic Dilbert comic strip, died on January 13, 2026, at the age of 68.

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His passing was announced by his first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, during a livestream of his long-running podcast, Real Coffee with Scott Adams.

Adams had been in hospice care at his Northern California home for the past week, where his health had deteriorated rapidly due to complications from metastatic prostate cancer.

Adams first publicly revealed his diagnosis in May 2025 on his podcast, describing an aggressive form of the disease that had spread to his bones.

He compared it to former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer, noting he had been dealing with it longer. By late 2025, the cancer caused severe issues, including paralysis below the waist, intense pain, and heart failure. In an emotional January 1, 2026, update, Adams told listeners the odds of recovery were “essentially zero,” warning that January would likely be a “month of transition one way or the other.” He remained candid and mentally sharp, even joking about relying on painkillers and cannabis to manage symptoms while continuing to comment on politics and current events.

Born on June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York, Adams earned degrees from Hartwick College and the University of California, Berkeley.

He worked in corporate roles at banks and telecommunications firms—experiences that fueled Dilbert‘s satirical take on office bureaucracy, incompetent managers, and cubicle life. Launched in 1989, the strip peaked in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide, spawning books like The Dilbert Principle, an animated series, and merchandise. Adams won awards from the National Cartoonists Society and became a bestselling author on persuasion, success, and systems thinking.

His career faced controversy in 2023 when newspapers dropped Dilbert after comments on his podcast about race and “wokeness,” which he described as hyperbole. He relaunched it as Dilbert Reborn on subscription platforms like Locals. Adams later became a prominent podcaster and commentator, often supporting Donald Trump and critiquing media and culture.

In his final prepared message—dated January 1, 2026, and read tearfully by Miles—Adams reflected on an “amazing life,” expressed gratitude, and announced a recent conversion to Christianity based on a “risk-reward” calculation.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, looking forward to eternity. Despite physical decline, he filmed what may have been his last podcast episode shortly before entering hospice.

Tributes poured in across social media and news outlets, praising his sharp wit, influence on workplace satire, and resilience. Adams is survived by ex-wives, including Shelly Miles and Kristina Basham, and family members. His legacy endures through Dilbert‘s timeless humor and his unfiltered takes on persuasion and society.