About this Martin Luther King Jr. Family Tree template
This template displays the heritage of Dr. King. It clearly shows his ancestors, parents, spouse, and children in a visual format.
Paternal and Maternal Grandparents
The foundation of Dr. King's family starts with his grandparents. They were respected figures in the church and education sectors in Georgia.
- Martin Luther King Sr. (Paternal Grandfather, Baptist minister)
- Jennie Celeste King (Paternal Grandmother, Homemaker)
- Adam Daniel Williams (Maternal Grandfather, Baptist minister)
- Jennie Louise Williams (Maternal Grandmother, Educator)
Parents of Dr. King
His parents provided a strong spiritual and social foundation. Both were deeply involved in their community and the fight for civil rights.
- Martin Luther King Sr. (Father, Pastor, and civil rights leader)
- Alberta Christine Williams King (Mother, Educator, and civil rights activist)
Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King
Dr. King and his wife Coretta were partners in the movement. They shared a vision of peace and worked together for social change.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Rise as a Civil Rights Leader (1955–1956)
- December 1, 1955 – Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat.
- December 5, 1955 – December 20, 1956 – King led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a 381-day mass protest against bus segregation in Alabama.
- The boycott ended with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring bus segregation unconstitutional, launching King into national prominence.
Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)
Leadership After Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination (1968–1986)
- April 9, 1968 – Just four days after her husband’s assassination, Coretta led a march of sanitation workers in Memphis, demonstrating her resolve to continue the movement.
- 1968 – Founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) in Atlanta to preserve and promote Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence.
- 1970s – Became a leading voice in the global peace movement, advocating for nuclear disarmament, women’s rights, and economic justice.
The Children of Dr. King
The legacy of Dr. King continues through his four children. Each child has pursued a career dedicated to activism, law, or the arts.
- Yolanda Denise King (Actress and activist)
- Martin Luther King III (Civil rights advocate and activist)
- Dexter Scott King (Activist and businessman)
- Bernice Albertine King (Attorney and minister)
FAQs about this Template
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Who were the parents of Martin Luther King Jr.?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Christine Williams King. His father was a prominent Baptist minister and early civil rights leader who served as the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. His mother, Alberta, was an accomplished educator and musician who also played a vital role in church leadership and social activism.
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How many children did Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King have?
Dr. King and Coretta Scott King had four children: Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter, and Bernice. Each child has dedicated their life to upholding their father's legacy of nonviolence and social justice. They have worked across various fields, including law, theater, and corporate leadership, while frequently speaking at international human rights events and managing the King Center.
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Why is it important to study the MLK family tree?
Studying the King family tree reveals a multi-generational commitment to community service and religious leadership. It shows that Dr. King’s activism was not an isolated event but rather the result of a long family history in the ministry and education. Understanding these connections helps people appreciate the cultural and spiritual influences that fueled the American Civil Rights Movement.
