How Billie Jean King Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Billie Jean King across different fields.

Billie Jean King, a former world No. 1 American tennis player, is considered one of the greatest of all time. She accumulated 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King also contributed to the United States' victories in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Beyond her athletic achievements, King is known for her advocacy for gender equality in sports and society.

Sections (7)

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

1939: First woman since Alice Marble to win singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles

In 1967, Billie Jean King won the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat since Alice Marble in 1939.

1966: Start of Grand Slam Record

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King's Grand Slam record was comparable to that of Margaret Court. One or both women played 35 of the 40 Grand Slam singles tournaments held during this period, and together they won 24 of them.

1970: Motivation to make a big year in 1970

At the end of 1969, Billie Jean King said that she expect to have a real big year in 1970, because she had the motivation to do it and felt like a kid again.

1972: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award

In 1972, Billie Jean King was the joint winner, with John Wooden, of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award.

September 20, 1973: Battle of the Sexes

On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" at the Houston Astrodome. The match was watched by over 30,000 spectators and an estimated 50 million U.S. television viewers, and 90 million across 37 countries. King won 6–4, 6–3, 6–3. The event is considered significant in promoting recognition and respect for women's tennis.

1973: King Becomes First President of Women's Tennis Association

In 1973, Billie Jean King became the first president of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), advocating for women's rights in tennis.

1973: "Battle of the Sexes" victory

In 1973, at age 29, Billie Jean King famously won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. That same year, King was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation. She also persuaded Virginia Slims to sponsor women's tennis and later served on the board of Philip Morris.

1974: King Co-Founds womenSports Magazine and Women's Sports Foundation

In 1974, Billie Jean King, along with Larry King and Jim Jorgensen, founded womenSports magazine and started the Women's Sports Foundation, promoting women in sports.

1975: End of Grand Slam Record

1975: Time Person of the Year

In 1975, Billie Jean King was one of the Time Persons of the Year.

1979: Top Players Pick King in Hypothetical Deficit

In 1979, when several top players were asked who they would pick to help them recover from a hypothetical deficit of 1–5 (15–40) in the third set of a match on Wimbledon's Centre Court, Martina Navratilova, Rosemary Casals, and Françoise Dürr all picked Billie Jean King.

1987: Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

1990: Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1990, Billie Jean King was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

2006: USTA National Tennis Center Renaming

In 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center in New York City was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

2008: King Publishes Book

In 2008, Billie Jean King published her 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)

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2008: Sports Museum of America Opens

In 2008, the Sports Museum of America opened, housing the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, a comprehensive women's sports hall of fame and exhibit.

2010: Fed Cup Award of Excellence

In 2010, Billie Jean King was bestowed the Fed Cup Award of Excellence.

2012: King Involved in Foundations and President's 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: King Appointed to 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, seen as a signal on gay rights.