Martin Luther King Family Tree: A Complete Genealogical Overview

Martin Luther King Immediate Family

Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. He married Coretta Scott King in 1953, and they had four children: Yolanda Denise King (1955–2007), Martin Luther King III (born 1957), Dexter Scott King (1961–2024), and Bernice Albertine King (born 1963). Understanding these names is essential to tracing the Martin Luther King family tree, as it establishes the direct lineage from the civil rights leader to the present generation. This section clarifies the foundational relationships within his immediate household.

Parents and Birth Name

King’s father, Martin Luther King Sr. (born Michael King Sr.), was a Baptist minister and early civil rights activist who changed both his and his son’s names to Martin Luther after a 1934 trip to Germany. His mother, Alberta Williams King, was a former schoolteacher active in church and community life. King was initially named Michael King Jr. at birth, and the family adopted the surname Luther for the son during the name change, which is an important detail when mapping the Martin Luther King family tree.

Coretta Scott King: Marriage and Partnership

Coretta Scott King, born April 27, 1927, in Heiberger, Alabama, was a singer and civil rights leader in her own right. She and Martin Luther King Jr. married on June 18, 1953, and remained partners until his assassination in 1968. Their partnership produced four children and established a lasting legacy in the family tree that extends into the present activism and stewardship of their shared history.

Children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

The couple’s four children represent the next generation of the Martin Luther King family tree, each pursuing distinct paths in activism, public service, and the arts.

• Yolanda Denise King (November 17, 1955 – May 15, 2007) — advocate and speaker.
• Martin Luther King III (born October 23, 1957) — activist and former head of The King Center.
• Dexter Scott King (January 30, 1961 – January 22, 2024) — pastor and author involved in family stewardship.
• Bernice Albertine King (born March 28, 1963) — attorney and current CEO of The King Center.

These descendants anchor the contemporary branch of the Martin Luther King family tree and carry forward documented leadership in civil rights and community engagement.

Extended Relatives and Ancestry

On his father’s side, Martin Luther King Jr. was the grandson of James Albert King and Delia Linsey, and the son of Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Alberta Williams King was the daughter of John C. Williams and Jenny Dilworth Williams, a lineage that has been documented in genealogical research related to the family tree. On his mother’s side, Coretta Scott King was the daughter of Obadiah Scott and Maria McClure Scott, with ties to rural Alabama communities. Together, these lines form a documented Martin Luther King family tree that includes both maternal and paternal branches.

Siblings and Larger Family

Martin Luther King Jr. had one full sister, Christine King Farris (1927–2023), and one full brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King (1930–1969), both of whom played roles in the family’s civil rights engagement. From his father’s previous marriage, he had an older half-sister, Willie Christine King Sullivan (born 1925). These siblings form key nodes in the Martin Luther King family tree, connecting multiple generations through documented birth records, public biographies, and family accounts.

Christine King Farris

Christine King Farris was a professor and lecturer who frequently spoke about the family’s values and traditions. She authored books reflecting on their shared upbringing and remained an active voice in preserving the family narrative within the broader Martin Luther King family tree.

Alfred Daniel Williams King

ADWK, as he was known, was a Baptist pastor and civil rights collaborator whose life was cut short in 1969. His contributions to the movement and his role in the family are recorded in church archives and biographies, cementing his place in the Martin Luther King family tree history.

Spouses, Cousins, and Related Connections

The Martin Luther King family tree extends through marriages and extended kin, including cousins and in-laws who have contributed to advocacy and cultural preservation. While public documentation emphasizes immediate family, researchers note that collateral relatives have largely maintained a private profile. When reviewing claims about distant relatives or unverified branches, it is important to rely on genealogical studies and reputable archives that confirm ties to the central lineage of the Martin Luther King family tree.

Legacy and Descendants Today

Today, descendants of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King continue public service, stewardship of The King Center, and scholarly work on civil rights history. The family tree remains a living record, with each generation adding new contributions while honoring documented legacy. Understanding names, birth years, and verified relationships helps ensure that the Martin Luther King family tree is represented accurately in historical and educational contexts.