Coretta Scott King

Date of Birth: April 27, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: January 30, 2006

Biography

Coretta Scott King was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader, who is best known for her efforts in advocating for African-American equality alongside her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Born Coretta Scott on April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama, she grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and later the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she met Martin Luther King Jr. The couple married in 1953 and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where they became pivotal figures in the Civil Rights Movement. After her husband’s assassination in 1968, Coretta Scott King continued his legacy by founding the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia. She also played a key role in the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday in the United States. Coretta was a prominent figure in various social justice movements, including women’s rights, LGBT rights, and anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa. She passed away on January 30, 2006, but her legacy continues to inspire activists around the world.

5 Interesting Facts about Coretta Scott King

1. Coretta Scott King was an accomplished singer and often used her musical talents to support civil rights events.

2. She was the first woman to deliver the class day address at Harvard University.

3. Coretta was a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights and fought against homophobia and discrimination.

4. She was a key figure in the struggle to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday, which was finally achieved in 1983.

5. Coretta was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2004, recognizing her lifelong commitment to nonviolent social change.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Coretta Scott King

1. “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.”

2. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

3. “Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won; you earn it and win it in every generation.”

4. “Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”

5. “As a nation, we are called to do more than just honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are called to live out his dream every day.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Coretta Scott King was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr. had four children: 1. Yolanda Denise King (1955–2007): An actress and activist. 2. Martin Luther King III (born 1957): A human rights advocate and community activist. 3. Dexter Scott King (born 1961): An author, filmmaker, and activist. 4. Bernice Albertine King (born 1963): A minister and former CEO of The King Center.