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Many people have interesting stories about their births: moms giving birth in taxis, last-minute miracle arrivals of parents and relatives from far away, risky pregnancies with happy endings.
Actor Julia Roberts has a unique birth story of her own, mostly about who paid for it.
In a recent interview with Gayle King, Roberts revealed her birth left a hospital bill that was a financial strain for her family. But the bill was paid by none other than Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
Why, one might ask?
Well, it seems Roberts’ parents ran a small acting school that accepted the King’s children at a time when many acting schools would not have integrated classes. The Kings and Roberts’ parents became friends.
One thing led to another and Roberts’ birth hospital bill was paid for by the Kings.
\u201cToday is Julia Roberts birthday! 55 years ago MLK and Coretta Scott King paid for her parents hospital bill after she was born. Can\u2019t stop thinking about this since I read it. Here she is talking about it with @GayleKing\u201d— Zara Rahim (@Zara Rahim) 1666976495
Reactions to the Roberts’ revelation were numerous.
For some, it’s a really cool fact to know about an actor they already love.
\u201cThis is one of the best ever facts\u201d— Darragh Ennis (@Darragh Ennis) 1667065774
\u201c@ZaraRahim @GayleKing I've always found Julia Roberts to be an amazing actress, and definitely in my top 3 of all times. This story leaves me with a lot of PURE joy because now I've learned she is an amazing human being as well.\u2764\u2764\u2764\u201d— Zara Rahim (@Zara Rahim) 1666976495
\u201cHoly moly! So cool! \nAnd that's how humans should act and care for each other.\u201d— RoseMarie Hamilton \ud83c\udf0a \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f\ud83d\udc08\ud83d\ude18\ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udc7b (@RoseMarie Hamilton \ud83c\udf0a \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f\ud83d\udc08\ud83d\ude18\ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udc7b) 1667093344
\u201c@ZaraRahim @GayleKing I appreciate her hesitation in telling this story. I want to believe it\u2019s because she sees it as being very personal and prolly doesn\u2019t want to come across as somebody trying too hard to look a certain way. Some ppl really do hold onto big moments for themselves.\u201d— Zara Rahim (@Zara Rahim) 1666976495
Then there were those who were surprised.
\u201cSay whaaaaaa???!!!\u201d— Benjamin Watson (@Benjamin Watson) 1667066800
\u201cI had no idea. I learn something new every day.\u201d— LM Rodgers (@LM Rodgers) 1667045250
In a few cases, it boggled the minds of fans to put Julia Roberts at the same time as Martin Luther King, Jr., as one feels quite contemporary while the other is more of a “historical” figure.
\u201c@ZaraRahim @GayleKing No this is one of those history facts that my brain just can\u2019t process\u201d— Zara Rahim (@Zara Rahim) 1666976495
\u201c@jaywillis @GayleKing 100% my brain broke\u201d— Zara Rahim (@Zara Rahim) 1666976495
A reaction to the interview brought forth another story involving the Kings.
Roberts’ parents’ acting school—one of the few accepting Black students at the time—had a car bomb go off outside because Yolanda King was cast opposite a White romantic lead.
\u201cHere is a story about Julia's parents and how the KKK blew up a car outside one of their plays because Julia's father cast MLK's daughter Yolanda King as a lead in a play where she kisses a white actor\nhttps://t.co/HdrnX7awBh\u201d— Ashley Reynolds (@Ashley Reynolds) 1629082122
Finally, someone noted it actually speaks volumes this is the first time many of us are learning this fact about Roberts.
\u201cThe fact that Julia Roberts has one of the ULTIMATE Civil Rights flexes, but never talked about this throughout her career, says everything about her character. \n\nI learned this about her last year and was surprised as well!\u201d— Mr. Christopher (@Mr. Christopher) 1667098043
The interview with Gayle King—no relation to MLK—was in honor of Roberts’ 55th birthday.