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Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is an American former professional tennis player and sports activist known for helping transform women’s tennis.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Billie Jean King is an American former professional tennis player and sports activist known for helping transform women’s tennis. She won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, and became a prominent advocate for gender equality and LGBTQ rights.

Early life and career

Billie Jean King was born in Long Beach, California, in 1943 and rose to prominence in the early 1960s. She became one of the dominant figures in women’s tennis during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Tennis achievements

King won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her career included 20 Wimbledon Championships, a widely cited record in the sport.

Advocacy and equality

King was a major force in campaigning for equal prize money and broader recognition for women athletes. She also helped found the Women’s Tennis Association, shaping the professional structure of women’s tennis.

Legacy

King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973 became one of the most famous moments in sports history. Her influence extends beyond tennis through awards, institutions, and continued work in equality and sports leadership.

Key facts

  • Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
  • She defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match.
  • She helped establish the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
  • She was a leading advocate for equal pay and greater opportunities for women in sport.
  • She was born Billie Jean Moffitt in Long Beach, California.
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Canadian context

King’s advocacy for gender equality in sport has influenced international tennis governance and athlete activism, themes relevant to Canadian readers and Canadian women’s sport.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Billie Jean King?
She is an American former professional tennis player and activist known for her success in tennis and her role in advancing gender equality in sport.
How many Grand Slam titles did Billie Jean King win?
She won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
What is Billie Jean King best known for outside tennis?
She is best known for advocating equal pay, women’s sports, and LGBTQ rights, and for helping found the WTA.
What was the Battle of the Sexes?
It was King’s 1973 exhibition match against Bobby Riggs, which she won and which became a landmark event in sports history.
Where was Billie Jean King born?
She was born in Long Beach, California, United States.

References

  1. National Women's History Museum — https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/billie-jean-king
    Supports: Birth name and date, Grand Slam titles, Battle of the Sexes, WTA founding, advocacy for women in sports and LGBTQ rights
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billie-Jean-King
    Supports: Birth details, American tennis player, influence on women's professional tennis, 39 major titles
  3. Women's Sports Foundation — https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/who-we-are/our-team/our-founder/
    Supports: Founder status, 39 Grand Slam titles, 20 Wimbledon championships, WTA founding, equal prize money advocacy, honours
  4. International Tennis Hall of Fame — https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/billie-jean-king
    Supports: 20 Wimbledon championships, Battle of the Sexes, first woman to win $100,000 in a year, renaming of the US Open site, Presidential Medal of Freedom