Martin Luther King Jr. Family Tree: A Clear Relationship Guide

Immediate Family Overview

Martin Luther King Jr. was married to Coretta Scott King from 1953 until his assassination in 1968. They had four children: Yolanda Denise King (1957–2007), Martin Luther King III (born 1957), Dexter Scott King (1961–2024), and Bernice Albertine King (born 1963). Coretta Scott King died in 2006. The couple’s children and grandchildren continue various forms of advocacy and public service. This summary establishes the core lineage for understanding the broader family network.

Parents and Upbringing

Martin Luther King Jr.’s parents were Martin Luther King Sr. (1899–1984) and Alberta Williams King (1904–1974). His father, originally Michael King Sr., later changed both his and his son’s names to Martin Luther King in memory of the Protestant reformer. Alberta Williams King was a former schoolteacher and organist at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The King household emphasized Christian ethics, social justice, and academic excellence, shaping his moral and intellectual formation.

Siblings and Extended Kin

MLK was the second of three children. His siblings included an older sister, Willie Christine King Farris (1927–2023), and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King (1930–1969). Alfred Daniel died in an accidental drowning in 1969. Willie Christine was an educator and public speaker; Alfred Daniel was a Baptist pastor. These relationships illustrate the family’s multigenerational involvement in church and community leadership.

Sporadic Historical Lineage Records

Immediate Family Snapshot

A concise table of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest kin, their birth and death years, and roles in the family and movement.

Descendants and the Third Generation

MLK and Coretta Scott King had four children, each of whom has descendants of their own. Martin Luther King III married Arndrea Waters King; they have daughter Yolanda Renee King (born 2008), the only one of MLK’s grandchildren mentioned widely in biographical summaries. Dexter Scott King had two children: sons Ezra and Michael King. Bernice King has one daughter, Lelia Tina Yetunde King. Yolanda King’s daughter, Ondine Kelley, represents the fourth generation of the lineage. These descendants largely maintain a private family life while some engage in commemorative or community projects tied to their legacy.

Distinction and Relationship Clarity

It is important to distinguish Martin Luther King Jr. from figures with similar names or roles. He is not to be confused with his father, Martin Luther King Sr., who was also a Baptist minister and civil rights leader but operated primarily in Georgia. Nor is he to be conflated with later activists who reference his legacy. This article focuses on verified familial relationships documented in biographies, church records, and reputable historical archives to ensure clarity and prevent confusion.

Reliable Sourcing and Verification Notes

Information in this article is drawn from authoritative biographies, the King Center’s official resources, church archives at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and reputable historical records. Where dates or relationships are subject to limited public documentation, this is noted. No speculative or inferred family connections are presented. This approach supports accuracy, clarity, and long-term usefulness for readers researching genealogy or legacy details.