Stumbled upon this while reading “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig this evening:

I learned that a white woman by the name of Betty Moitz was Martin Luther King Jr.’s first serious girlfriend during his time at Crozer Theological Seminary.

Known as “Betty,” she was two years older than King and lived on campus with her family. Her mother worked as a cook and dietitian at the school.

Betty and King met in the Crozer kitchen, and their relationship quickly developed despite societal pressures against interracial relationships at the time.

Although deeply in love, King ended the relationship due to the potential impact on his career and societal acceptance.

Betty later became an interior decorator and antique dealer, marrying in 1955 and having three children.