Member Note

Billie Jean King is a former United States No. 1 tennis champion and current activist for equality in sports and society. King started to play tennis at age 11 on the public courts in Long Beach, CA. She went on to win 39 total Grand Slam titles, including a record 20 Wimbledon titles (combined in singles, doubles and mixed doubles). In her 2008 book, Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes, King reflects on her historic defeat of Bobby Riggs in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes."

Fast Facts

1. Maiden name: Billie Jean Moffitt
2. Born: November 22, 1943
3. Birthplace: Long Beach, California
4. Spouse: Lawrence King 1965-1987
5. Turned pro: 1968 (Open Era)
6. Retired in 1983
7. Plays: Right-handed
8. Grand Slam Titles: 39 total (12 singles, 16 doubles, 11 mixed doubles)
9. WTA Tour Titles: 67 singles (Open Era), 101 doubles (Open Era)
10. Elton John wrote the song "Philadelphia Freedom" in honor of Billie Jean King¹

1. 1967: Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
2. 1972 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
3. Inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame
4. Named one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life Magazine.²