50 Facts About Billie Jean King

Early Life and Family

Billie Jean King's journey began in Long Beach, California, where she was born into an athletic family. Her early years set the stage for her future success.

1. Billie Jean King was born Billie Jean Moffitt to parents Bill and Betty Moffitt.
2. Her father, Bill, was a firefighter, and her mother, Betty, was an Avon sales representative.
3. The Moffitt family was athletic, with Bill being offered a tryout for an NBA team and Betty being an excellent swimmer.
4. King's younger brother, Randy, went on to become a Major League Baseball pitcher.

Introduction to Tennis

King's love for tennis started at a young age, and her dedication to the sport quickly became evident.

5. King began playing tennis at the age of 11 on the public tennis courts in Long Beach.
6. She fell in love with the sport immediately and soon told her mother, "I am going to be No. 1 in the world".
7. In 1958, King won her age bracket in the Southern California championship.
8. She first garnered international attention in 1961 when she and Karen Hantze Susman became the youngest pair to win the Wimbledon women's doubles title.

Education and Early Career

Balancing education and a budding tennis career, King showed early signs of her relentless work ethic.

9. King attended California State University, Los Angeles from 1961 to 1964.
10. During this time, she competed in tennis tournaments and worked as a tennis instructor to make ends meet.
11. She realized she needed to step up her practice schedule to reach her full potential and embarked on an exhaustive training regimen.

Major Tennis Achievements

King's career is marked by numerous victories and records that solidified her status as a tennis legend.

12. King won her first major singles title at Wimbledon in 1966.
13. She repeated this feat in 1967 and 1968, becoming the #1-ranked women's tennis player in the world in 1966.
14. She claimed this title five more times in her career: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, and 1974.
15. Between 1961 and 1979, playing both singles and doubles, King won Wimbledon a record 20 times.
16. She claimed 13 U.S. titles, four French titles, and two Australian titles.
17. In 1972, she won the U.S. Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon – three Grand Slam victories in one year.

Advocacy for Equal Prize Money

King's efforts off the court were just as impactful, particularly her fight for equal prize money in tennis.

18. In 1972, King threatened to boycott the U.S. Open if equal prize money was not awarded to women.
19. The fight she started took 34 years to reach fruition when Wimbledon became the last of the four Grand Slams to offer equal prize money in 2007.

The Battle of the Sexes

One of the most famous moments in sports history, King's match against Bobby Riggs, showcased her skill and determination.

20. On September 20, 1973, King defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" match at the Houston Astrodome.
21. This victory earned her $100,000 and cemented her status as a tennis legend.

Founding of the Women’s Tennis Association

King's leadership extended beyond her playing career, as she played a pivotal role in the formation of the WTA.

22. In 1973, King founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which oversees women’s professional tennis.
23. She served as its first president and played a crucial role in establishing equal prize money for women in tennis.

World TeamTennis and Other Contributions

King's vision for tennis included creating opportunities for both men and women to compete together.

24. In 1974, King co-founded World TeamTennis (WTT), a competitive co-ed circuit league.
25. She also helped establish the Women’s Sports Foundation.
26. King became the only woman in history to win U.S. singles titles on all four surfaces: grass, carpet, clay, and hard court.

Public Disclosure of Homosexuality

King's courage extended to her personal life, where she became a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights.

27. On May 2, 1981, King acknowledged that she was a lesbian after Marilyn Barnett filed a palimony lawsuit against her.
28. This made her one of the first professional athletes to publicly disclose her homosexuality.

Retirement and Legacy

Even after retiring from professional tennis, King's influence continued to grow.

29. King retired from professional tennis in 1984.
30. In 2006, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in her honor.
31. On August 12, 2009, King received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
32. She was the first female athlete to be honored with the Medal of Freedom, presented by President Obama at The White House.

Continued Advocacy and Recognition

King's work in promoting equality and social justice has earned her numerous accolades and positions of influence.

33. In 2014, King launched the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address inclusion and diversity issues in the workplace.
34. King was named to the U.S. delegation for the opening ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia by President Barack Obama.
35. The story of King’s match against Bobby Riggs was dramatized in the 2017 feature film "Battle of the Sexes," starring Emma Stone as King and Steve Carell as Riggs.
36. King has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career.
37. She is a board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation, which she helped form during her playing days.
38. King has also served as an acting director for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Fund.
39. In 1974, Elton John wrote his No. 1 hit "Philadelphia Freedom" for King to congratulate her on co-founding World TeamTennis and playing and coaching for the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team.
40. In 2018, King was given a lifetime achievement award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
41. In 2018, King served as a Grand Marshal of the New York City Pride March.
42. In 2018, King and her partner, Ilana Kloss, joined the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group.
43. In 1999, King was named one of the Greatest Athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated.
44. King received the 1999 Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her conviction as a risk-taker and for lobbying for equality.
45. In 2003, King was one of six inaugural inductees into the Court of Fame at the USTA National Tennis Center.
46. In 2008, King authored "Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes" to commemorate the 35th anniversary of her historic match against Bobby Riggs.
47. King was appointed Global Mentor for Gender Equality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2008.
48. In 2009, King received the NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award, recognizing her contributions to intercollegiate athletics and her commitment to social justice.
49. In 2010, King was honored with Major League Baseball’s Beacon of Change Award.
50. King has won 39 Grand Slam championships overall in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, including 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

Billie Jean King's Lasting Legacy

Billie Jean King's life is a testament to her unwavering dedication to tennis, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her numerous achievements on and off the court have left an indelible mark on history, inspiring generations to come. From her early days as a young tennis player to her current status as a global icon, Billie Jean King continues to be a beacon of hope and equality for all. Her fight for equal prize money, her victory in the "Battle of the Sexes," and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights have paved the way for future generations. King's legacy is not just about her tennis titles but also about her relentless pursuit of equality and justice. She remains a powerful role model, showing that one person can indeed make a difference. Her story is a reminder that courage, determination, and a commitment to fairness can change the world.