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, secured 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King's contributions extended to team victories, representing the United States in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Beyond her athletic achievements, she has been a prominent figure in advocating 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 is an American former world No. 1 tennis player, also known as BJK.

Others born on this day/year

January 28, 1948: Marilyn Barnett's birth

Marilyn Barnett, who later had an affair with Billie Jean King, was born on January 28, 1948.

1961: Graduation from High School

In 1961, Billie Jean King graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, marking a milestone before her ascent in the tennis world.

1964: Left College to Focus on Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King left Los Angeles State College to focus on her tennis career, demonstrating her commitment to the sport.

1964: Engagement of Billie Jean and Larry King

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

September 17, 1965: Marriage to Larry King

On September 17, 1965, Billie Jean King married Larry King in Long Beach. They had met while she was attending Cal State LA.

1968: King earns money as a playground instructor

Before the start of the open era in 1968, 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: King realizes her attraction to women

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

1968: Australian Championships win and knee surgery

In early 1968, Billie Jean King won three consecutive tournaments in Australia, including the Australian Championships. She continued winning upon her return to the United States and then in Europe. She won her third consecutive Wimbledon singles title. On September 24, 1968, she had surgery to repair cartilage in her left knee.

May 1969: Knee Recovery

After undergoing knee surgery in September 1968, Billie Jean King said that it took eight months, until May 1969, for her knee to recover completely from the surgery.

September 1970: Pacific Southwest Open and Women's Rights Advocacy

In September 1970, Billie Jean King advocated for better pay for female tennis players. At the Pacific Southwest Open, the prize money for men was significantly higher than for women, leading King and other women to boycott the tournament and organize the women-only Houston Virginia Slims invitational. This helped launch a series of women-only tournaments.

1970: Motivation for 1970

In 1969, during the Pacific Southwest Open, Billie Jean King expressed her motivation for 1970, stating she felt like a kid again and expected to have a big year.

1971: King begins affair with Marilyn Barnett

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

1971: King's Abortion Made Public

In 1971, King had an abortion that was made public in a Ms. magazine article. Larry revealed Billie Jean's abortion without consulting her.

1971: Court Misses Significant Portions of the year

In 1971, Margaret Court missed significant portions of the year due to childbirth. Court's 1973 season was her first full season since winning the Grand Slam in 1970, as she had missed significant portions of 1971 and 1972 due to childbirth.

1972: Grand Slam Titles and Focus on Virginia Slims Tournaments

In 1972, Billie Jean King won three Grand Slam singles titles but chose not to play the Australian Open. She prioritized the Virginia Slims winter tournaments. Her dominance was aided by Margaret Court's absence from the tour.

1972: Court Misses Significant Portions of the year

In 1972, Margaret Court missed significant portions of the year due to childbirth. Court's 1973 season was her first full season since winning the Grand Slam in 1970, as she had missed significant portions of 1971 and 1972 due to childbirth.

1972: Early Season Losses and Admission of Cramps

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.

1973: King Completes Triple Crown and Plays Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King completed the Triple Crown at Wimbledon. She then played Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes after a series of Virginia Slims tournaments, and ended the year with wins in Phoenix, Hawaii, and Tokyo, and was runner-up in Baltimore.

November 1976: King Undergoes Knee Surgery

In November 1976, Billie Jean King had her third knee surgery, this time on her right knee.

1977: Doctors' Prediction

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

December 1978: King's Foot Surgery

In December 1978, Billie Jean King underwent major surgery on her left foot, leading to limited play in 1979.

March 1983: House Destroyed in 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.

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.

December 2013: Obama appoints King to represent the U.S. at the 2014 Winter Olympics

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

February 7, 2014: King's mother dies on the day of the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

On February 7, 2014, the day of the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Betty Moffitt, King's mother, died. King was forced to drop out of the delegation due to her mother's ill health.

June 16, 2017: King delivers Northwestern University commencement address

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

September 2018: King becomes minority owner of Los Angeles Dodgers

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

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. They have residences in New York City and Chicago.

2018: King attends Golden Globe Awards

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

October 2020: King becomes part of the ownership group of Angel City FC

In October 2020, King and 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.

2022: Angel City FC begins play

In 2022, Angel City FC, of which King is part of the ownership, began play in the National Women's Soccer League.

2023: King competes in The Masked Singer

In 2023, King competed in season ten of "The Masked Singer" as "Royal Hen" and was the first of Group B to be eliminated.

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2024: Value of First Racket

In 2024 terms, the $8 Billie Jean King saved to buy her first racket as an 11-year-old would be equivalent to $92.40, showing her early dedication to tennis.