Julia Roberts: ‘They helped us out of a jam’ on Her Surprising Relationship With Martin Luther King Jr. That’s Truly Hard to Believe

Julia Roberts recalled her special connection with Martin Luther King Jr. that started the day she was born.

julia roberts, martin luther king jr.Image by Slick-o-bot , licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A lesser-known fact about Julia Roberts is that she has a unique bond with Martin Luther King Jr.’s family. Apparently, the late civil rights leader and his wife, Coretta Scott King, paid for the actress’ hospital bills when she was born.

Notting Hill Julia Roberts
Credits: Julia Roberts in Notting Hill / Universal Pictures

Everyone knows the contribution of Dr. King to society, especially with his advocacy for peaceful protests that would later serve as a key figure in the American civil rights movement. His generosity with the Roberts family was another great example of his legacy.

Julia Roberts Shares Special Link With Martin Luther King Jr. and His Family

In an interview with Gayle King for History Channel’s HISTORYTalks series, actress Julia Roberts shared her curious association with the King family. “The King family paid for my hospital bills,” she said. The Pretty Woman star explained that her parents once helped Martin Luther King Jr.’s children, and in return, his family shouldered Roberts’ expenses.

Walter and Betty Lou Roberts owned a theater school in Atlanta named Actors and Writers Workshop. One day, Coretta Scott King called the actress’ mother and asked if she could enroll her children in the institution because, at the time, it was difficult for Black kids to interact with White kids. She agreed to take the kids in. “And so, they just all became friends, and they helped us out of a jam.”

Roberts was born on October 28, 1967, making her 57 years old today. The host commented how extraordinary the act of kindness Roberts’ mother showed towards the King family. “It lays the groundwork for who you are,” she added.

martin luther king jr bbc
Credits: Martin Luther King Jr. via BBC

Unfortunately, Dr. King died less than six months after the Notting Hill star was born. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 after he was fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee. His demise prompted major outbreaks of racial violence throughout the country, but it also became crucial in inspiring activists to fight injustice around the world.

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It’s crazy to think that Roberts had this unique connection with a celebrated historical figure, which only means that her birth is just as special as the legacy of Dr. King.

Julia Roberts Advocates Civil Rights for People of Color

julia roberts in steel magnolias
Credits: Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias / TriStar Pictures

Roberts involves herself in civil rights advocacy, as evident in her fierce battle against racism. One of the most notable controversies in the ‘90s was when she called out a whole town for being racist after a bar owner refused to let her Black friend in. She told CNN, “I was enraged. I was out of my mind.”

The late Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. King, knew Roberts would react that way. “I can see it pouring forth from her, and rightly so,” she said in the same interview.

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The Steel Magnolias actress admitted that she was shocked this type of treatment towards Black people still happens in the country. Roberts continues to push for equal rights for people of color, just as the King family has been fighting for.

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