How Old Was Coretta Scott King When She Got Married

So, I was recently watching this old interview with Andrew Young, a civil rights activist and former UN Ambassador, and he was sharing this sweet story about how he first met Martin Luther King Jr. Young was a young minister at the time, and King was a visiting preacher. Young recalled, "I thought to myself, 'This guy's good, but he's not that good.' I mean, I was young and cocky, you know?"

Anyway, fast forward a few years, and King is now this big deal in the civil rights movement, and Young is working with him. One day, Young's wife comes up to him and says, "You know, Martin's getting married soon. Have you met Coretta Scott yet?" Young replied, "Coretta who?"

And that's when it hit me, folks. Here we are, talking about these giants of the civil rights movement, and we're about to discuss something we don't often think about - their personal lives. Specifically, we're diving into the question, "How old was Coretta Scott King when she got married?"

Coretta Scott King: A Woman of Many Firsts

Before we get to the big day, let's set the stage. Coretta Scott was born on April 27, 1927, in Marion, Alabama. She was the third of four children born to Obadiah and Bernice McMurray Scott. Now, here's where it gets interesting. Coretta was one of the first African American women to desegregate a professional orchestra in the United States. She was also the first African American woman to earn a degree in voice from the New England Conservatory of Music. I mean, this woman was breaking barriers left and right, even before she met MLK.

Love at First Sight (Almost)

Now, let's rewind to 1952. Coretta is studying music at the New England Conservatory, and Martin Luther King Jr. is a student at Boston University's School of Theology. They meet for the first time at a mutual friend's house, and while MLK was smitten, Coretta wasn't so sure. She later recalled, "I wasn't interested in him romantically at all. I thought he was a nice person, but I wasn't interested in getting married."

But MLK was persistent. He would often visit her at her apartment, and they would discuss their dreams and aspirations. Coretta was impressed by MLK's passion for social justice and his commitment to nonviolence. And so, over time, her feelings for him changed. But how old was she when she finally said, "I do"?

Coretta Scott and MLK in Montgomery (Full Bio) | All Of It | WNYC Studios

June 18, 1953: The Big Day

Coretta Scott was 26 years old when she married Martin Luther King Jr. on June 18, 1953. The wedding took place at her parents' home in Marion, Alabama. It was a beautiful ceremony, with over 300 guests in attendance. Coretta wore a simple, elegant wedding dress, and MLK looked dashing in his military uniform. They were married for 15 years, until MLK's tragic assassination in 1968, and had four children together.

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but why does it matter how old Coretta Scott King was when she got married?" And that's a fair question. But here's the thing, folks. Understanding the personal lives of these historical figures helps us understand their motivations, their struggles, and their triumphs. It reminds us that they were human, just like you and me. And it also helps us appreciate the incredible journey that Coretta Scott King took, from a young musician to a civil rights icon in her own right.

Coretta Scott King: A Life of Activism and Love

After MLK's death, Coretta continued his legacy of nonviolent activism. She founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and worked tirelessly to establish MLK's birthday as a national holiday. She also continued her musical career, performing and recording songs that reflected her commitment to social justice. And through it all, she remained a devoted mother to her four children.

So, there you have it, folks. Coretta Scott King was 26 years old when she got married. But more importantly, she was a woman of incredible strength, courage, and love. She was a musician, an activist, and a mother. She was Coretta Scott King, and her legacy continues to inspire us today.