Early Life and Education of Billie Jean King: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Billie Jean King. From birth to education, explore key events.

Billie Jean King is a celebrated American former world No. 1 tennis player. Her illustrious career boasts 39 Grand Slam titles, comprising 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. Beyond her individual achievements, King contributed significantly to team success, representing the United States on seven victorious Federation Cup teams and nine Wightman Cup teams. She's also a champion for gender equality in sports and society.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

November 22, 1943: Billie Jean King Born

On November 22, 1943, Billie Jean King, née Moffitt, was born. She would become a world No. 1 American tennis player.

Others born on this day/year

January 28, 1948: Marilyn Barnett's birth

On January 28, 1948, Marilyn Kathryn McRae (later known as Marilyn Barnett), who would later have a relationship with Billie Jean King, was born.

1959: Grand Slam Debut

In 1959, Billie Jean King made her Grand Slam debut at the U.S. Championships at the age of 15 and lost in the first round. Her national tennis ranking was number 19 this year.

1961: Graduation from High School

In 1961, Billie Jean King graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School.

1963: Met Larry King

In 1963, Billie Jean King met Larry King in a library while attending Cal State.

1964: Leaves College to Focus on Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King left Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles) to focus on tennis full-time.

1964: Commits Full-Time to Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King won four relatively minor titles but lost to Margaret Court in the Wimbledon semi-finals. She defeated Ann Haydon-Jones at both the Wightman Cup and Fed Cup, and decided to commit to tennis full-time after Robert Mitchell offered to pay for her training in Australia.

1964: Engagement to Larry King

In the autumn of 1964, Billie Jean Moffitt got engaged to Larry King.

September 17, 1965: Marriage to Larry King

On September 17, 1965, Billie Jean Moffitt, age 21, married Larry King in Long Beach. They had met in a library in 1963 while she was attending Cal State, and were engaged while still in school.

1967: Criticism of USLTA

In 1967, Billie Jean King criticized the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA), denouncing the practice of "shamateurism" where top players were paid under the table. She argued that this was corrupt and elitist.

1968: Playground Instructor

Before the start of the open era in 1968, Billie Jean King earned US$100 a week as a playground instructor and student at California State University, Los Angeles when not playing in major tennis tournaments.

May 1969: Knee Recovery

In May 1969, Billie Jean King reported that it took approximately eight months for her knee to fully recover following surgery she had in September 1968.

1970: King anticipates a better year

During the Pacific Southwest Open in 1969, Billie Jean King expressed optimism for 1970, stating she felt like a kid again and expected a big year due to renewed motivation, despite a challenging year with tennis elbow.

1971: Abortion Made Public

In 1971, King had an abortion that was made public in a Ms. magazine article after Larry revealed it without her consent.

1971: Formation of Women's Tennis Group

In 1971, Larry King created the idea to form a nine player women's tennis group with the backing of World Tennis magazine and Virginia Slims sponsorship. Billie Jean King became the first woman athlete to earn over US$100,000 in prize money that year.

1972: King admits abortion caused retirement.

In early 1972, Billie Jean King admitted that cramps associated with an abortion caused her to retire from a match with Chris Evert in St. Petersburg after splitting the first two sets.

1973: First president of Women's Tennis Association

In 1973, Billie Jean King became the first president of the women's players union – the Women's Tennis Association.

1973: Co-founding of World Team Tennis

In 1973, Billie Jean King's husband Larry co-founded World Team Tennis with Dennis Murphy, Jordan Kaiser, and Fred Barman.

1974: Founding womenSports magazine and Women's Sports Foundation

In 1974, Billie Jean King, along with her husband Larry King and Jim Jorgensen, founded womenSports magazine and started the Women's Sports Foundation.

1974: Beginning of World Team Tennis

In 1974, World TeamTennis (WTT) began, co-founded by Billie Jean King's husband Larry with Dennis Murphy, Jordan Kaiser, and Fred Barman.

1977: King reflects on doctor's prediction

In 1977, Billie Jean King recalled that doctors had predicted in 1968 that her left knee would only allow her to play competitive tennis for two more years.

1982: League commissioner

In 1982, Billie Jean King became commissioner of World TeamTennis.

1984: Major Owner of World TeamTennis

In 1984, Billie Jean King became a major owner in World TeamTennis.

1987: Marriage Ended

In 1987, Billie Jean and Larry's marriage ended after Billie Jean fell in love with her doubles partner, Ilana Kloss. Despite the end of their marriage, Billie Jean and Larry remained close.

1999: Board Membership with Philip Morris Incorporated

In 1999, Billie Jean King was elected to serve on the board of directors of Philip Morris Incorporated, which garnered criticism from anti-tobacco groups.

2008: Publication of "Pressure is a Privilege"

In 2008, Billie Jean King published the book "Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes."

Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes by Billie Jean King (July 22 2008)

Check it on Amazon

2008: Opening of Sports Museum of America

In 2008, the Sports Museum of America opened, featuring the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, a comprehensive women's sports hall of fame and exhibit. King is a member of the Board of Honorary Trustees for the museum.

2012: Involvement in Foundations and Council

As of 2012, Billie Jean King was involved in the Women's Sports Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She also served on the President's Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

December 2013: Appointment to 2014 Winter Olympics Delegation

In December 2013, US President Barack Obama appointed Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. This was seen as a signal on gay rights, but King later withdrew due to her mother's illness.

February 7, 2014: Death of Betty Moffitt

On February 7, 2014, Betty Moffitt, Billie Jean King's mother, died. This was the same day as the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

June 16, 2017: Northwestern University Commencement Address

On June 16, 2017, Billie Jean King delivered the commencement address at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

2017: Sale of WTT Ownership

In 2017, Billie Jean King sold her majority ownership stake of the World Team Tennis (WTT) league to Mark Ein and Fred Luddy. She had been involved with the league for decades.

September 2018: Ownership of Los Angeles Dodgers

In September 2018, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss became minority owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

October 18, 2018: Marriage to Ilana Kloss

On October 18, 2018, King and Kloss were married in a secret ceremony by former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

2018: Attendance at Golden Globe Awards

In 2018, Billie Jean King attended the 75th Golden Globe Awards as a guest of Emma Stone.

October 2020: Ownership of Angel City FC

In October 2020, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss became part of the ownership group of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles–based team set to start play in the National Women's Soccer League in 2022.

May 2022: Partnership with PWHPA

In May 2022, the Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises partnered with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) with the intent to create a new professional women's ice hockey league in North America.

2022: Angel City FC inaugural year

In 2022, Angel City FC, of which Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss are part of the ownership group, started playing in the National Women's Soccer League.

June 29, 2023: Purchase of Premier Hockey Federation

On June 29, 2023, the Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, headed by Mark Walter and Billie Jean King respectively, purchased the intellectual property and key elements of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). This buyout resulted in a single women's professional ice hockey league in North America, with the new league beginning on January 1, 2024.

2023: Appearance on The Masked Singer

In 2023, Billie Jean King competed in season ten of "The Masked Singer" as "Royal Hen". She was the first of Group B to be eliminated on "A Celebration of Elton John".

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January 1, 2024: Inauguration of new women's Hockey League

On January 1, 2024, the new professional women's ice hockey league in North America began, following the purchase of the PHF in June 2023 by the Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises. The first game was played between New York and Toronto in Toronto.

2024: Value of first tennis racket

In 2024, the value of $8 that Billie Jean King saved to buy her first racket in 1954 would be $92.40.

2025: Returns to College

In 2025, Billie Jean King returned to Los Angeles State College, now California State University, Los Angeles, to complete her degree.

May 2026: Completes History Degree

In May 2026, Billie Jean King, at age 82, completes her degree in history at California State University, Los Angeles, after returning to school in 2025.