A Look Back at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Family Photos on What Would Have Been His 96th Birthday
The revered Civil Rights leader was assassinated on April 4. 1968 at just 39 years old
The revered Civil Rights leader was assassinated on April 4. 1968 at just 39 years old Bettmann Archive/Getty Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/coretta-scott-king-martin-luther-king-jr-children-martin-yoland-011425-870fa3c9a81e4414b2811436eceea9c9.jpg "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")
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 shared four children with his wife Coretta 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.
Happy Days
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.
On the Move
Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News via Getty Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and family
The young family poses in front of their plane as they prepare to fly to Alabama from Idlewild Airport in Queens, New York.
Family Days
Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife, Coretta and their two children
Moments before, King was pictured adoringly looking at his daughter Yolanda as Martin III sat comfortably in Coretta's arms.
Coming Together
TPLP/Getty Martin Luther King Jr. with his family
Dr. King and his wife Coretta were pictured with three of their kids — Yolanda, Martin III and Dexter — at their home in Atlanta.
Learning Lessons
Donald Uhrbrock/Getty Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta with their children
The Kings play piano with their kids Yolanda and Martin III in this shot from 1960.
Sign of the Times
Bettmann Archive/Getty Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds Martin Luther King III
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.
Lighter Moments
Bettmann Archive/Getty Dr. King and his family
Dr. King is greeted lovingly by his family upon his release from Georgia State prison after incarceration for leading boycotts in this pic from 1960
Happy Reunion
Donald Uhrbrock/Getty The King Family
The family keeps close as they celebrate their reunion.
Looking Up to Dad
AP Photo/Jack Thornell Yolanda King with her dad Martin Luther King Jr.
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.
Polished Up
AP Photo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King sit with three of their children
Dr, King ensures his namesake's tie is nice and straight as the family prepares for a photoshoot.
