Martin Luther King Jr. Family photos

On By Littum

For many of us, Martin Luther King Jr. a mega force for the civil rights movement – a prolific orator whose talent for oratory and passion for equal rights for all resonates to this day

At home, however, the late prolific leader was simply known as Dad. Dr. King, a doting father, shared four children with his wife Coretta Scott: daughters Yolanda Denise, 69, and Bernice Albertine, 61, and sons Martin Luther III, 67, and Dexter Scott, 63.

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

Happy days

The kings with their daughter Yolanda.
Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

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

On the way

Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. and family.

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.

Family days

Pastor Martin Luther King Jr., his wife Coretta and their two children.

Tom Gallagher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty


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

Coming Together

Martin Luther King Jr. with his family.

TPLP/Getty


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

Learn lessons

Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta with their children.

Donald Uhrbrock/Getty


The Kings play the piano with their children Yolanda and Martin III in this 1960 shot.

Sign of the times

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has Martin Luther King III.

Bettmann Archive/Getty


The civil rights leader is pictured holding two-year-old Martin III as he looks at a burnt cross in front of his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brighter moments

Dr. King and his family.

Bettmann Archive/Getty


Dr. King is greeted lovingly by his family after his release from Georgia State Prison after serving time for leading boycotts in this 1960 photo

Good reunion

The royal family.

Donald Uhrbrock/Getty


The family stays close as they celebrate their reunion.

Looking up to dad

Yolanda King with her father Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo by AP/Jack Thornell


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

Polished up

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

AP photo


Dr. King makes sure his namesake’s tie is nice and straight as the family prepares for a photo shoot.