Billie Jean King Net Worth and Career Highlights
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $20 million |
| Salary | N/A |
| Birthdate | November 22, 1943 |
| Birthplace | Long Beach, California |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | N/A |
| Profession | Retired Tennis Player and Advocate for Gender Equality |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life
Billie Jean King, born on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California, grew up in a conservative Methodist household. With supportive parents and a younger brother named Randy, King developed an interest in sports from a young age. She initially played basketball and softball before transitioning to tennis at the age of 11. Her parents suggested tennis as a more “ladylike” sport, and she purchased her first racket with her savings. Free lessons from tennis professional Clyde Walker on Long Beach’s public courts paved the way for King’s journey in tennis. Billie Jean attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School before enrolling at Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles). She ultimately left college in 1964 to focus on her tennis career.
Career
Billie Jean King turned professional in 1959 while still attending college. Her career took off quickly, and in 1961, she and Karen Hantze Susman became the youngest duo to win the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon. King won her first Wimbledon singles competition in 1966, followed by victories in 1967 and 1968. She also claimed the 1967 U.S. Open singles championship and the 1968 Australian Open singles title. Throughout her career, she won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 11 mixed doubles, and 16 women’s doubles. She held the world’s number one female tennis player ranking in multiple years.
Billie Jean King’s career-defining moment came in 1973, during the famous “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs. This widely watched event, with an estimated 90 million viewers across 35 countries, exemplified King’s dedication to gender equality. Beyond her achievements on the court, King founded the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Women’s Tennis Association, advocating for equal prize money in tennis. She also served as the U.S. captain in the Federation Cup for three years.
After retiring from competitive tennis, King became the Commissioner of World TeamTennis (WTT) in 1984, earning the distinction of being the first female commissioner in a major sports organization. She also co-founded World TeamTennis Smash Hits, an annual charity tennis match benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation in partnership with Elton John.
Personal Life
Billie Jean King married attorney Larry King in 1965. A few years into their marriage, she realized her attraction to women and became involved with her secretary, Marilyn Barnett. This relationship became public in 1981 when Marilyn filed a palimony lawsuit against Billie Jean, leading to significant financial and endorsement losses for the tennis star. Billie Jean and Larry divorced in 1987 after she fell in love with Ilana Kloss, her doubles partner. King married Kloss in October 2018.
Net Worth Over Time
Billie Jean King’s net worth is currently estimated at $20 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her successful tennis career, numerous endorsements, and entrepreneurial endeavors such as co-founding the Women’s Tennis Association. While her net worth has the potential to increase through various investments and partnerships, it largely remains stable due to her retirement from professional tennis and transition into advocacy and leadership roles.
Components of Net Worth
Billie Jean King’s net worth of $20 million comprises various assets and incomes, including:
- Earnings from her professional tennis career, including prize money and winnings from multiple Grand Slam titles.
- Income generated from endorsements and sponsorships throughout her career.
- Investments and business ventures, such as co-founding the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Women’s Tennis Association, and World TeamTennis.
- Residual earnings from book publications, including “Pressure Is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes” (2008) and “All In: An Autobiography” (2021).
- Income from her executive production of documentaries such as “The Battle of the Sexes” (2013) and “Althea” (2014).
- Compensation from appearances in TV shows like “Arli$$” (1999), “Ugly Betty” (2009), “Fresh Off the Boat” (2016), and “The Bold Type” (2020).
- Earnings as a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA team.
While Billie Jean King’s net worth has evolved over time, it remains a testament to her incredible achievements both on and off the tennis court. Her impact as a sports icon and advocate for gender equality continues to shape the world of tennis and inspire future generations.