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, a former world No. 1 American tennis player, achieved remarkable success with 39 Grand Slam titles, comprising 12 singles, 16 women's doubles, and 11 mixed doubles victories. She significantly contributed to the United States' triumphs in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups, solidifying her legacy as a dominant force in women's tennis.

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), the future world No. 1 tennis player, was born.

Others born on this day/year

January 28, 1948: Birth of Marilyn Barnett

Marilyn Barnett, later Marilyn Kathryn McRae, was born on January 28, 1948.

1961: Graduation from High School

In 1961, Billie Jean King graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, marking the end of her secondary education.

1964: Left 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, although she intended to return.

1964: Engagement

In the autumn of 1964, Billie Jean King and Larry King were engaged.

September 17, 1965: Marriage to Larry King

On September 17, 1965, Billie Jean Moffitt married Larry King in Long Beach. At the time of their marriage, Billie Jean was 20 and Larry was 19 years old.

1968: Pre-Open Era Earnings

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.

1968: Attraction to Women

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

May 1969: Knee Recovery

According to Billie Jean King, it took eight months, until May 1969, for her knee to fully recover from the surgery she underwent in September 1968.

1971: Affair with Marilyn Barnett

In 1971, Billie Jean King began an affair with her secretary, Marilyn Barnett.

1971: Abortion Made Public

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

1971: Court misses significant portion of the year

In 1971, Margaret Court missed a significant portion of the tennis season due to childbirth.

1972: Court misses significant portion of the year

In 1972, Margaret Court missed a significant portion of the tennis season due to childbirth.

1972: King's Admission Regarding Retirement in St. Petersburg

In early 1972, Billie Jean King admitted that cramps associated with an abortion caused her to retire from the match with Chris Evert in St. Petersburg in 1971, despite initially claiming it was due to leg cramps.

November 1976: Knee Surgery

In November 1976, Billie Jean King underwent right knee surgery to repair an injury. She spent the first three months of the following year in rehabilitation.

1977: Doctor's Prediction About King's Knee

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

December 1978: Foot Surgery

In December 1978, Billie Jean King underwent major surgery on her left foot to attempt a return to the tennis tour.

1982: King's Autobiography and Intentional Loss

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

March 1983: House Destroyed by Storms

In March 1983, the house contested in the palimony suit was destroyed during a series of freak storms that lashed the southern California coastline.

1984: King Interviewed after turning 40

In 1984, Billie Jean King gave an interview just after she had turned 40.

1987: Marriage Ended

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

December 2013: Appointment to 2014 Winter Olympics Delegation

In December 2013, US President Barack Obama appointed Billie Jean King to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, viewed as a statement on gay rights.

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, passed away.

June 16, 2017: Northwestern University Commencement Address

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

September 2018: Minority Ownership of Los Angeles Dodgers and Sparks

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

October 18, 2018: Marriage to Ilana Kloss

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

2018: Guest at the 75th Golden Globe Awards

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

October 2020: Ownership in Angel City FC

In October 2020, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss joined the ownership group of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based team in the National Women's Soccer League.

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) to create a new women’s ice hockey league in North America.

2022: Start of Angel City FC

In 2022, Angel City FC, of which Billie Jean King is part of the ownership group, was set to start 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 Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).