TheDaily MirrorAccording to reports, Julia Roberts’ mother, Betty Roberts filed for divorce in 1983. “citing cruel treatment.”She called her husband Michael Motes, according to some reports. “the biggest mistake I ever made.”It seems to be in stark contrast with her first marriage. Walter Grady Roberts, Betty’s dad was a pioneer in civil rights.
They lived in Atlanta for a time before their split. According to The New York TimesAtlanta was still very segregated during 1970s due to Jim Crow laws. Betty and Walter opened an acting class that accepted students from all races despite the widespread discrimination. This led to Julia’s connection to Martin Luther King Jr.
Zara Rahim celebrates the star’s 55th anniversary. TweetHere’s a clip from a conversation between Gayle and Julia King. The actor explains how she is connected to Gayle King, a civil rights icon. “One day, Coretta Scott King called my mother and asked if her kids could be part of the school because they were having a hard time finding a place that would accept her kids,”Julia agreed. Betty agreed immediately, which led to friendship between the two women. They were very close, as Betty and Walter couldn’t pay the hospital bill for Julia’s birth. Dr. King and Coretta took over. “They helped us out of a jam,” Julia admitted.