Billie Jean King Timeline

(1943 - Present)

Billie Jean King (born November 22, 1943) is an American former professional tennis player and one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, she is best known for defeating Bobby Riggs in the 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' match and for her pioneering advocacy for women's sports, pay equity, and LGBTQ+ rights. She co-founded the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Career

Born in Long Beach, California

Nov 22, 1943

Billie Jean Moffitt was born in Long Beach, California, to a family of firefighters. She grew up in a sports-loving household and was exposed to athletics at an early age, eventually gravitating toward tennis after trying softball and basketball.

Wins her first tennis tournament in Southern California

1958

As a young teenager, King won a local Southern California championship, an early sign of her competitive talent. She used a borrowed racket and saved money for lessons, showing determination despite limited resources.

Makes Wimbledon debut as an amateur

Jul 1959

At age 15, King made her first appearance at Wimbledon, losing early in singles but gaining valuable experience on the world's most famous grass courts. The trip launched her international career.

Plays on victorious United States Fed Cup teams

1963 - 1979

Over a span of nearly two decades, King represented the United States in Federation Cup competition, winning the team title seven times and serving as player-captain in several campaigns.

Marries Lawrence King

Sep 17, 1965

Billie Jean married attorney Lawrence King in Los Angeles. She would compete under the name Billie Jean King for the rest of her career, though the couple later divorced in 1987.

Turns professional with the Virginia Slims Circuit era approaching

1968

With tennis entering the Open Era, King embraced professionalism, becoming one of the leading voices advocating that women players deserve fair prize money and commercial opportunities.

Co-founded World TeamTennis continues expanding

1974

King co-founded the World TeamTennis league, pioneering co-ed team tennis in the United States and creating opportunities for men and women to compete together professionally.

Image source: World TeamTennis

Begins long-term relationship with Ilana Kloss

1981

King entered a partnership with former professional tennis player Ilana Kloss, who became her life partner and business collaborator for decades to follow.

Image source: Ilana Kloss

Retires from competitive tennis

Sep 1983

King played her final professional matches in 1983, ending a career that included 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competition.

Image source: Billie Jean King

Grand Slam Victories

Reaches first Wimbledon final in doubles

Jul 1961

Partnering with Karen Hantze Susman, the 17-year-old King reached the women's doubles final at Wimbledon, announcing her arrival among the game's elite players.

Wins first Wimbledon singles title

Jul 2, 1966

King captured her maiden Grand Slam singles crown at Wimbledon, defeating Maria Bueno in the final. It marked the beginning of her dominance on grass courts during the late 1960s.

Corrects the tournament timeline for the mixed doubles win

Jun 5, 1967

King completed a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles by winning the French title with Owen Davidson in later years; her 1967 Roland Garros appearances helped establish her versatility across surfaces and disciplines.

Defends Wimbledon singles title

Jul 8, 1967

King successfully defended her Wimbledon singles championship, beating Ann Jones in the final and cementing her status as the world's top female player.

Wins Australian Open singles title

Jan 25, 1968

King won the Australian Championships (later the Australian Open) singles title, adding another major to her growing collection of Grand Slam victories.

Wins French Open singles title

Jun 4, 1972

On clay at Roland Garros, King won the only French Open singles title of her career, completing her set of all four Grand Slam singles championships.

Wins fourth Wimbledon singles title

Jul 1, 1972

King claimed her fourth Wimbledon singles crown, defeating Evonne Goolagong in the final during one of the most successful seasons of her career.

Wins US Open singles title

Sep 10, 1972

King added the US Open singles championship to her 1972 haul, beating Kerry Melville in the final and completing a remarkable year with three major titles.

Wins sixth Wimbledon singles title

Jul 5, 1975

At age 31, King captured her sixth Wimbledon singles championship, defeating Evonne Goolagong Cawley and proving her longevity at the top of the sport.

Activism and Advocacy

Helps found the Virginia Slims Tour

Sep 23, 1970

King joined eight other players, known as the 'Original Nine,' in signing $1 contracts to create a breakaway women's tour sponsored by Virginia Slims, laying the foundation for modern professional women's tennis.

Image source: Virginia Slims World Championship Series

Co-founds the Women's Tennis Association

1973

King became the WTA's first president, uniting women players under one organization to fight for equal prize money, better scheduling, and greater representation in professional tennis.

Image source: Women's Tennis Association

Wins 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Bobby Riggs

Sep 20, 1973

Before a record crowd at the Houston Astrodome and millions watching on television, King defeated self-proclaimed male chauvinist Bobby Riggs in straight sets, delivering a landmark victory for women's sports and gender equality.

Image source: Battle of the Sexes (tennis)

Founds WomenSports magazine

1974

King co-founded WomenSports magazine to increase media coverage of female athletes, addressing the glaring imbalance in sports journalism and giving women's achievements a dedicated platform.

Image source: WomenSports

Co-founds the Women's Sports Foundation

Oct 1974

King established the Women's Sports Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing girls' and women's lives through sports participation, research, and advocacy.

Image source: Women's Sports Foundation

Publicly acknowledged in relationship with Marilyn Barnett

May 1981

A palimony lawsuit filed by former assistant Marilyn Barnett forced King to publicly acknowledge a past same-sex relationship, making her one of the first prominent American athletes to come out, albeit involuntarily.

Legacy and Honors

Named Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year

1972

After winning three Grand Slam titles in 1972, King was honored by Sports Illustrated, recognition of both her athletic excellence and her growing influence beyond tennis.

Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Aug 29, 1987

King received the sport's highest honor with induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, recognizing her extraordinary playing career and contributions to tennis.

Image source: International Tennis Hall of Fame

US Open facility renamed USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Aug 2006

The home of the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, was renamed in King's honor, making it the first major sports venue named after a woman.

Image source: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Aug 12, 2009

President Barack Obama awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, citing her athletic achievements and lifelong advocacy for gender and LGBTQ+ equality.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Fed Cup renamed the Billie Jean King Cup

Sep 2020

The International Tennis Federation renamed its premier women's international team competition the Billie Jean King Cup, honoring her decades of contribution to women's tennis worldwide.

Key Facts

Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.
In 1973, she defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis match, watched by an estimated 90 million people worldwide.
She co-founded the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973 and became its first president.
In 1974, she founded the Women's Sports Foundation and helped launch WomenSports magazine.
She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Source

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