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, renowned for her exceptional achievements and advocacy. She secured 39 Grand Slam titles, distributed across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King also contributed significantly to team success, representing the United States in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups, consistently demonstrating her skill and competitive spirit on the global stage.

Sections (7)

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

November 22, 1943: Billie Jean King's Birth

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

Others born on this day/year

January 28, 1948: Birthdate of Marilyn Barnett

Marilyn Barnett, born Marilyn Kathryn McRae, Billie Jean King's secretary and with whom King had an affair, was born on January 28, 1948.

1961: Graduation from High School

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

1963: Meeting Larry King

In 1963, Billie Jean King met Larry King in a library while attending Cal State LA. They later got engaged while still in school.

1964: Leaving College to Focus on Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King left Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles) to focus on her tennis career, without graduating.

September 17, 1965: Marriage to Larry King

On September 17, 1965, Billie Jean Moffitt married Larry King in Long Beach. They had become engaged while attending Los Angeles State College.

1968: Attraction to Women

By 1968, Billie Jean King realized that she was attracted to women.

May 1969: King's Knee Recovery

In May 1969, Billie Jean King stated that it took eight months for her knee to recover completely from the surgery she had in September 1968.

1971: King's abortion made public

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

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: Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King, at the age of 29, won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, marking a significant moment for gender equality in sports. That year, she was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation.

1977: King Reveals Doctor's Prediction

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

1982: King Claims Intentional Loss

In her 1982 autobiography, Billie Jean King claimed she intentionally lost a match in Long Beach to Françoise Dürr because of an argument with her husband.

March 1983: House Destroyed in Storms

In March 1983, the house that had been contested in court was destroyed during a series of storms that lashed the southern California coastline.

1984: King's Interview

In a 1984 interview, just after she had turned 40, King said,...

1987: Marriage Ended

In 1987, Billie Jean King and Larry's marriage ended after she fell in love with her doubles partner, Ilana Kloss.

February 7, 2014: Death of Betty Moffitt

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

October 18, 2018: King and Kloss Married

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

2018: 75th Golden Globe Awards

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

2023: Appearance on "The Masked Singer"

In 2023, Billie Jean King competed in season ten of "The Masked Singer" as "Royal Hen" and was eliminated on "A Celebration of Elton John".

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2024: Value of First Racket

In 2024, the equivalent value of Billie Jean King's first racket, purchased for $8 when she was 11 years old, would be $92.40, adjusted for inflation.