Yolanda King Age at Death
Yolanda King was born on November 17, 1955, and died on May 15, 2007, making her 51 years old at the time of death. She was the first child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Her death was attributed to natural causes, with heart disease listed as a contributing factor. Public records and family statements confirm the date and cause without dispute. For background on her family and early life, see Biography.com.
The question of how old Yolanda King was when she died is answered directly by her birth and death dates. She lived exactly 51 years and just under six months. Her passing occurred in Santa Monica, California, where she had been living and working as an actress and activist. The family released a brief statement confirming the cause and expressing privacy during the grieving period.
Early Life and Family Background
Yolanda Denise King was the eldest of four children born to Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and later moved with her family to different cities as her father’s civil rights work expanded. Her siblings include Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice Albertine King. Publicly available biographies and interviews describe her childhood as shaped by both privilege and intense public scrutiny. Additional details on her family tree are available at The King Center.
By the time she was a teenager, Yolanda King had already experienced the loss of her father, who was assassinated in 1968 when she was 12 years old. She attended various schools and later studied at Smith College and the California Institute of the Arts. Her early exposure to activism and public life influenced her later career choices in entertainment and advocacy. She often spoke publicly about her family’s legacy and the importance of nonviolent social change.
Career, Activism, and Later Years
Yolanda King pursued a career in acting, appearing in films, television shows, and stage productions that explored themes of civil rights and social justice. She also became a public speaker, frequently addressing audiences about her father’s philosophy and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. Her work in media and advocacy placed her in contact with major institutions and organizations focused on human rights and civic engagement. Information about her artistic projects and speaking engagements can be found at IMDb.
In her later years, Yolanda King remained active in public life, participating in commemorations, documentaries, and events tied to her father’s legacy. She used her platform to highlight issues such as voting rights, economic justice, and police reform. Her death in 2007 was widely reported and acknowledged by civil rights organizations, entertainment industry figures, and political leaders. The King family continues to manage the estate and public memory of Martin Luther King Jr. through the King Center and related initiatives, as noted on National Park Service pages about the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
