Billie Jean King is a tennis legend, social justice advocate, and iconic figure in women’s sports. With a career spanning more than 40 years, she has had a profound impact on tennis and beyond.
Her impressive list of achievements includes 39 Grand Slam titles, a record 20 titles at Wimbledon and a pioneering role in the fight for women’s tennis and LGBTQ+ rights.
File
- Full Name: Billie Jean Moffitt King
- Date of birth: November 22, 1943
- Age: 81 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Long Beach, California, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Tennis player, social justice advocate
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches (164 cm)
- Parents: Bill Moffitt (father), Betty Moffitt (mother)
- Siblings: Randy Moffitt (brother)
- Spouse: Larry King (married 1965-1987)
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Net worth: $20 million
Early life and education
Billie Jean King, now 81, was born in Long Beach, California, to Bill and Betty Moffitt.
She grew up with her brother Randy Moffitt in a conservative Methodist family and was raised with an emphasis on sports and education.
King began playing tennis at age 11 and quickly demonstrated her natural talent for the sport. She attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School and then attended Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles).
Personal life
Both triumph and turmoil marked Billie Jean King’s personal life. In 1965, she married Larry King, a tennis player and coach, and the couple had a stormy relationship that ended in divorce in 1987.
In the 1980s, King became one of the first prominent American athletes to publicly acknowledge being in a same-sex relationship, which drew both praise and controversy.
Career
Billie Jean King’s tennis career was one of the most illustrious in history. She won 39 Grand Slam titles, including a record 20 at Wimbledon, and held the world number one ranking in women’s tennis for six out of 10 years from 1966 to 1975.
King was also a pioneer in the fight for women’s tennis and the LGBTQ+ community, founding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973 and fighting for equal rights and recognition for women’s sports.
Prize
- 39 Grand Slam titles
- 20 Wimbledon titles
- World No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis (1966-1975)
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (1987)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
Net worth
Billie Jean King’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, earned through her successful tennis career, endorsement deals, and advocacy work.
Argumentative
Billie Jean King has been embroiled in controversy throughout her career, including her high-profile divorce and same-sex relationship, as well as her vocal support for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues.
Social media
- Instagram: @billiejeanking
- Twitter: @BillieJeanKing
Book
- Billie Jean King: The Autobiography
- We Are All Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Tennis Court
