Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King (born Billie Jean Moffitt on 1943-11-22 in Long Beach, California) is an American former world No. 1 tennis player, activist, and entrepreneur. She turned professional in 1968 after a stellar amateur career that began when she entered her first major tournament at age 15 in 1959, and she remained competitively active through 1990 when she retired from doubles competition. Over a span of more than three decades she amassed 39 Grand Slam titles—12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles—plus 129 singles titles overall, establishing herself as one of the sport’s most dominant figures. King’s achievements include a career Grand Slam in both singles and mixed doubles, six Wimbledon singles crowns, four US Open singles titles, and the historic “Battle of the Sexes” victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973, an event that symbolized a turning point for gender equality in sports. Beyond the court she co‑founded the Women’s Tennis Association, launched the Virginia Slims circuit, and helped create World Team Tennis, using her platform to fight for equal prize money and better conditions for female athletes. Her advocacy earned her numerous honors such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), the Congressional Gold Medal (2024), and induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. King also served as captain of the United States Fed Cup team, guiding it to multiple championships, and she has been a board member of several charitable and corporate organizations. Throughout her life she has authored books, spoken publicly on social justice, and remained a public figure championing LGBTQ rights and health initiatives. Today the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York bears her name, reflecting her lasting impact on both sport and society.