A Look Back at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Family Photos on What Would Have Been His 96th Birthday

Mar. 15, 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family.Photo:Bettmann Archive/Getty

After Dr Martin Luther King, Jr was freed from jail (under a $2000 appeal bond) he was greeted by his wife Coretta and children, Martin and Yolanda, at the airport in Chamblee, Georgia, October 27, 1960

Bettmann Archive/Getty

To many of us,Martin Luther King Jr. was a mega-force for the Civil Rights movement — a prolific speaker whose talent for oration and passion for equal rights for all resonates to this dayAt home, however, the late prolific leader was simply known as dad. A doting father, Dr. King sharedfour childrenwith his wifeCoretta Scott: daughters Yolanda Denise, 69, and Bernice Albertine, 61, as well as sons Martin Luther III, 67 and Dexter Scott, 63.As we observe what would have been his 96th birthday, look back at some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s pictures with his family.

To many of us,Martin Luther King Jr. was a mega-force for the Civil Rights movement — a prolific speaker whose talent for oration and passion for equal rights for all resonates to this day

At home, however, the late prolific leader was simply known as dad. A doting father, Dr. King sharedfour childrenwith his wifeCoretta Scott: daughters Yolanda Denise, 69, and Bernice Albertine, 61, as well as sons Martin Luther III, 67 and Dexter Scott, 63.

As we observe what would have been his 96th birthday, look back at some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s pictures with his family.

01of 10Happy DaysThe Kings with their daughter Yolanda.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyDr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King are snapped having a quiet moment with their firstborn Yolanda as they relax in their home in 1956.

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Happy Days

The Kings with their daughter Yolanda.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. relaxes at home with his wife Coretta and first child Yolanda in May 1956 in Montgomery, Alabama

Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King are snapped having a quiet moment with their firstborn Yolanda as they relax in their home in 1956.

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Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and family.Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News via Getty

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and family fly to Alabama from Idlewild Airport in Queens, New York. Reverend Martin Luther King and his wife, Coretta with their two children, Yolanda 3, and Martin Luther 3rd,1, as they board plane for Montgomery

Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News via Getty

The young family poses in front of their plane as they prepare to fly to Alabama from Idlewild Airport in Queens, New York.

03of 10Family DaysRev. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife, Coretta and their two children.Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News Archive via GettyMoments before, King was pictured adoringly looking at his daughter Yolanda as Martin III sat comfortably in Coretta’s arms.

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Family Days

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife, Coretta and their two children.Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife, Coretta, and their two children, Yolanda and Martin Luther 3rd, prepare to board plane at New York’s Idlewild Airport for Montgomery, Ala.

Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

Moments before, King was pictured adoringly looking at his daughter Yolanda as Martin III sat comfortably in Coretta’s arms.

04of 10Coming TogetherMartin Luther King Jr. with his family.TPLP/GettyDr. King and his wife Coretta were pictured with three of their kids — Yolanda, Martin III and Dexter — at their home in Atlanta.

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Coming Together

Martin Luther King Jr. with his family.TPLP/Getty

TPLP/Getty

Dr. King and his wife Coretta were pictured with three of their kids — Yolanda, Martin III and Dexter — at their home in Atlanta.

05of 10Learning LessonsMartin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta with their children.Donald Uhrbrock/GettyThe Kings play piano with their kids Yolanda and Martin III in this shot from 1960.

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Learning Lessons

Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta with their children.Donald Uhrbrock/Getty

Civil Rights activist Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta, daughter Yolanda, 5, & Martin Luther III, 3, sitting together as they play piano in their livingroom, Atlanta, Georgia, 1960.

Donald Uhrbrock/Getty

The Kings play piano with their kids Yolanda and Martin III in this shot from 1960.

06of 10Sign of the TimesDr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds Martin Luther King III.Bettmann Archive/GettyThe Civil Rights leader is pictured holding two-year-old Martin III while looking at a burnt cross in front of his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Sign of the Times

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds Martin Luther King III.Bettmann Archive/Getty

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holds his two-year old son Martin Luther King III as he stands near a burnt cross in front of his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Civil Rights leader is pictured holding two-year-old Martin III while looking at a burnt cross in front of his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Lighter Moments

Dr. King and his family.Bettmann Archive/Getty

08of 10Happy ReunionThe King Family.Donald Uhrbrock/GettyThe family keeps close as they celebrate their reunion.

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Happy Reunion

The King Family.Donald Uhrbrock/Getty

Civil Rights ldr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holding his son Martin III as his daughter Yolanda and wife Coretta greet him at the airport upon his release from Georgia State prison after incarceration for leading boycotts.

The family keeps close as they celebrate their reunion.

09of 10Looking Up to DadYolanda King with her dad Martin Luther King Jr.AP Photo/Jack ThornellYoung Yolanda King watches on from the pew as her father makes a point during a speech at a political rally in Montgomery, Alabama in 1966.

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Looking Up to Dad

Yolanda King with her dad Martin Luther King Jr.AP Photo/Jack Thornell

Yolanda King, daughter of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, watches from the podium at left, as her father gestures during a speech at a political rally in Montgomery, Ala., April 29, 1966. She is accompanying her father on a three day tour of Alabama as he encourages blacks to vote as a block in the May 3 Alabama primary election.

AP Photo/Jack Thornell

Young Yolanda King watches on from the pew as her father makes a point during a speech at a political rally in Montgomery, Alabama in 1966.

10of 10Polished UpDr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King sit with three of their children.AP PhotoDr, King ensures his namesake’s tie is nice and straight as the family prepares for a photoshoot.

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Polished Up

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King sit with three of their children.AP Photo

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, sit with three of their four children in their Atlanta, Ga, home, on March 17, 1963. From left are: Martin Luther King III, 5, Dexter Scott, 2, and Yolanda Denise, 7.

AP Photo

Dr, King ensures his namesake’s tie is nice and straight as the family prepares for a photoshoot.

source: people.com