Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bernice King’s Net Worth?
Bernice King, a distinguished minister and lawyer, has accumulated a net worth estimated at $1.5 million. This figure represents the culmination of her work as the CEO of both the King Center, a non-profit organization, and First Kingdom Management, a Christian consulting firm, both of which are based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her financial standing also reflects her career in ministry and public speaking, though specific income details from these activities are not publicly available.
Early Life and Education Contributing to Bernice King’s Career
Born on March 28, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia, Bernice King is the youngest child of the iconic civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Her early life was marked by significant personal tragedies, including her father’s assassination shortly before her fifth birthday. These experiences profoundly shaped her path. Bernice attended Douglass High School in Atlanta before pursuing higher education. She initially enrolled at Grinnell College in Iowa but later transferred to Spelman College in Atlanta, where she earned a psychology degree in 1985. Bernice furthered her education at Emory University, obtaining both a Master of Divinity and a Juris Doctor degree, equipping her with a unique skill set applicable to her future roles in ministry and leadership.
Bernice King’s Ministry and Public Speaking Engagements
Bernice King’s career in ministry began in 1990 after earning her Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church, becoming only the second woman to achieve this distinction. She also published “Hard Questions, Heart Answers,” a collection of her sermons and speeches, though the exact sales figures and royalties earned from this publication are not publicly disclosed. From 2002 to 2011, Bernice King served as an elder at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where she delivered her mother’s eulogy in 2006, a high-profile event that showcased her public speaking abilities. King began public speaking at the age of 17, with an early invitation to address the United Nations. At 19, she delivered a major speech in Chicago, setting the stage for numerous subsequent speaking engagements at diverse venues such as Liberty University, the Staples Center, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, Seminole State College of Florida, and Fontbonne University. The financial compensation King received for these speaking engagements is not publicly known, but such appearances typically contribute to overall income.
Leadership Roles at the King Center and SCLC
In early 2012, Bernice King assumed the role of CEO at the King Center, a non-profit organization founded by her mother in 1968. The King Center’s mission is to promote Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence. As CEO, Bernice is responsible for the Center’s strategic direction, fundraising, and overall operations. The specific details of her compensation package as CEO are not publicly available, but such positions typically include a salary and benefits commensurate with the responsibilities and the organization’s financial capacity. Bernice King also played a role in reforming the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization previously led by her father. Elected president of the SCLC in 2009, she encountered internal conflicts and ultimately declined the presidency in early 2010, citing disagreements over leadership direction. The precise financial impact of her involvement with the SCLC on her overall net worth is not documented.
Controversies and Legal Issues Affecting Bernice King
Bernice King has faced scrutiny for her past opposition to LGBTQ rights, including participating in a 2004 march in Atlanta against same-sex marriage. While she seemingly reversed her stance in 2015 following the Supreme Court’s legalization of gay marriage, these earlier actions may have impacted her public image. Bernice has also been involved in several legal disputes. In 2008, she and her brother Martin III sued their brother Dexter over alleged mismanagement of King Center funds. Dexter countersued, and the suits were settled out of court in 2009. Further disputes arose over family photos and documents. In 2013, Harry Belafonte sued the Kings to be named the owner of three documents they had given him, reaching a compromise the following year. Around this time, Bernice was sued by her brothers for allegedly withholding their father’s Nobel Peace Prize and Bible, which they wished to sell. A judge ordered Bernice to relinquish the items for temporary placement in a safety deposit box. The financial implications of these legal battles, including legal fees and potential settlements, are not fully disclosed.
Bernice King’s Diverse Career and $1.5 Million Net Worth
Bernice King’s $1.5 million net worth reflects her diverse career encompassing ministry, non-profit leadership, and public speaking. The King Center, where she serves as CEO, plays a significant role in promoting her father’s legacy. Specific financial details, such as her salary as CEO of the King Center and income from First Kingdom Management, are not publicly accessible. Her public speaking engagements, which began at a young age and have taken her to various high-profile venues, also contribute to her income. While information on book royalties and other ventures is limited, her multifaceted career has enabled her to accumulate her current net worth.
