Julia Roberts celebrated her 55th birthday last Friday. On this occasion, a TV interview is doing the rounds in which the actress talks about her childhood. Accordingly, none other than civil rights activist Martin Luther King paid the hospital costs for the birth of the Hollywood star.
Martin Luther King Jr. paid the birth of Hollywood star Julia Roberts 55 years ago. Together with his wife Coretta Scott King, the civil rights activist took over the hospital fee in 1967, which Robert’s parents could not afford. Journalist Gayle King addressed this surprising fact in a recent conversation with the actress. A Twitter user recalled the interview on Robert’s 55th birthday.
Julia Roberts’ parents, Walter and Betty Lou, were friends with the King family in the 1960s. The Roberts ran a drama school for children in Atlanta, Georgia. Contrary to the practice, which is particularly widespread in the southern United States, they also taught black children.
“One day Coretta called my mother and asked if her children could be accepted into the school as it was difficult to find a place that would accept their children,” said Julia Roberts. “My mom said, ‘Sure, come over,’ so they all became friends and helped us out.” The Kings retaliated by taking the bill for Juliet’s birth on October 28, 1967. Six months later, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.
Walter and Betty Roberts were targeted by racists for taking the bold step of also taking in African-American children. During a performance, the Ku Klux Klan blew up a car in front of the school. The reason: In the piece, Martin Luther King’s eldest daughter Yolanda kissed a white boy.
(This article was first published on Monday, October 31, 2022.)
