Claim:
Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King paid the hospital expenses for Julia Roberts’ birth in 1967 because her parents were unable to afford them.
Verdict:
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<p>A widely circulated online rumor suggests that the family of Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts shared a unique history with Martin Luther King Jr., specifically that the civil rights leader and his wife covered the hospital costs surrounding her birth as a gesture of goodwill.</p>
<p>A social media post from September 2026 summarized the viral narrative:</p>
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<p><span dir="auto">During a period of severe financial hardship in 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. covered the medical expenses for Julia Roberts' birth. Her parents, who operated a small Atlanta theater school, were struggling financially and unable to pay the hospital bills. The King family intervened out of deep appreciation, as the Roberts family had welcomed the King children into their workshop when few other establishments would do so.</span></p>
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<p><span dir="auto">This remarkable piece of history highlights how acts of compassion can forge lasting bonds across generations.</span></p>
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<p>Both Julia Roberts and Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, have verified this account. During a November 2022 discussion in Washington, D.C., hosted by A+E Networks and the History Channel, Roberts discussed the connection with journalist Gayle King:</p>
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<p><strong>GAYLE KING:</strong> Let's start with the day you were born. Who paid for your hospital bill?</p>
<p><strong>JULIA ROBERTS:</strong> Well, your research is thorough. […] The King family took care of my hospital bills.</p>
<p><strong>GAYLE KING:</strong> Not my family!</p>
<p><strong>JULIA ROBERTS:</strong> Not your relatives, but…</p>
<p><strong>GAYLE KING:</strong> Martin Luther King Jr.…</p>
<p><strong>JULIA ROBERTS:</strong> …and Coretta.</p>
<p><strong>GAYLE KING:</strong> How did that come about? Why did they step in?</p>
<p><strong>JULIA ROBERTS:</strong> Naturally, because my parents couldn't afford the hospital fees. They ran an Atlanta theater school called the Actors and Writers Workshop. Coretta Scott King eventually called my mother to ask if her children could join the program because they struggled to find inclusive spaces. My mom welcomed them immediately, and the families became close friends, helping each other through tough times.</p>
<p><strong>GAYLE KING:</strong> Back in the 1960s, seeing Black children and white children interacting in an acting class was uncommon. Your parents opening their doors is extraordinary and reflects the foundation of who you are.</p>
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<p>Bernice King later acknowledged the story online, writing on social media that while she was already familiar with the history, hearing it retold always serves as a moving reminder of her parents' generosity and community impact.</p>
<p>Historical records confirm that Roberts' parents, Walter and Betty Roberts, managed a theater company in Atlanta where the King children took classes. Yolanda King, the late daughter of the civil rights leaders, also spoke fondly of the workshop during past interviews, noting the profound influence Walter and Betty Roberts had on her artistic upbringing and perspective on life.</p>
<p>Furthermore, archival accounts from former students and local reports highlight that the workshop was one of the very few integrated drama schools in Atlanta at the time, occasionally drawing hostility from segregationists due to its inclusive environment.</p>
<p>Because this heartfelt piece of history has been consistently corroborated by members of both families, the claim is evaluated as true.</p>