Billie Jean King: Wife, Career, and Lasting Legacy
Few names in sports carry the weight of Billie Jean King’s, a tennis legend with 39 Grand Slam titles who also became a powerful voice for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. This article explores her personal life, career achievements, and lasting legacy — answering the questions people ask most.
Born: November 22, 1943 ·
Grand Slam Titles: 39 ·
Spouse: Ilana Kloss (m. 2020) ·
Known For: Battle of the Sexes victory against Bobby Riggs
Quick snapshot
- Won 39 Grand Slam titles (Billie Jean King official site (verified record))
- Defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 Battle of the Sexes (National Women’s History Museum (educational biography))
- Co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association (National Women’s History Museum)
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Exact net worth figure varies ($20 million estimate per multiple sources) (Marca (sports media estimate); TheRichest (celebrity wealth database))
- Some details of her early relationship with Marilyn Barnett (former lover) remain debated (YouTube interview transcript (first-hand account))
- Born November 22, 1943 (Britannica)
- First major title (women’s doubles) in 1961 (Billie Jean King Cup (official tournament site))
- First singles Grand Slam at Wimbledon 1966 (Golden Age of Tennis (retrospective analysis))
- Battle of the Sexes: 1973 (National Women’s History Museum)
- Outed as lesbian in 1981; divorced Larry King 1987 (YouTube interview transcript)
- Married Ilana Kloss in 2020 (Billie Jean King official site (biographical overview))
- Billie Jean King Foundation continues advocacy for equality (Billie Jean King official site (foundation overview))
- Women’s Sports Foundation (founded by King) remains active (Women’s Sports Foundation (founder profile))
Eight key identifiers, one profile: the official biography of Billie Jean King covers the essentials everyone should know.
| Full Name | Billie Jean King (née Moffitt) |
| Birth Date | November 22, 1943 |
| Birthplace | Long Beach, California, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Grand Slam Titles | 39 (12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, 11 mixed doubles) |
| Spouse | Ilana Kloss (m. 2020) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million (estimate) |
A player who won 39 major titles — including a record 20 at Wimbledon — built a second career as an activist that may ultimately outshine her on-court achievements.
Does Billie Jean King have a wife now?
Yes, Billie Jean King married Ilana Kloss in 2020. The two have been partners since 1971 — one of the longest-known relationships in professional sports.
- Partner: Ilana Kloss, former professional tennis player
- Marriage: December 2020 (Billie Jean King official site (biographical note))
- Together since: 1971 (Billie Jean King official site)
Who is Billie Jean King’s wife?
Ilana Kloss is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. She reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 19 and won three Grand Slam doubles titles. Kloss later became CEO of King’s private investment firm, BJK Enterprises.
How old is Billie Jean King?
Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943. As of 2025, she is 82 years old. (Britannica)
Who was Billie Jean King’s former lover?
King was publicly outed in 1981 during a lawsuit filed by her former partner Marilyn Barnett, who was her personal assistant and lover. Barnett claimed a share of King’s earnings. The forced outing was painful but ultimately led King to become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. (YouTube interview transcript)
Does Billie Jean King have children?
Billie Jean King does not have any children. (Based on biographical overview; no records indicate children.)
What is the age difference between Billie Jean King and her wife?
Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943, and Ilana Kloss was born in 1948 (exact date not public). That makes the age difference approximately 5 years — with King being the older partner. (Britannica (King’s birth year); WTA profile for Ilana Kloss (birth year confirmation))
Is Billie Jean King LGBTQ?
Yes, Billie Jean King is openly lesbian. She was publicly outed in 1981 during a lawsuit brought by former partner Marilyn Barnett. King later said the forced outing was painful but ultimately liberating. She has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights ever since. (YouTube interview transcript)
What is Billie Jean King’s net worth?
Billie Jean King’s net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million. This figure comes from multiple media outlets, though exact sums vary due to private holdings and ongoing earnings from endorsements and speaking engagements. (Marca; TheRichest)
Why is Billie Jean King so famous?
King is famous for three intersecting reasons: her dominance on the court, her role in the 1973 Battle of the Sexes, and her lifelong fight for gender equality in sports.
- 39 Grand Slam titles — 12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, 11 mixed doubles (Billie Jean King official site)
- Battle of the Sexes victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973 (National Women’s History Museum)
- Co-founder of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973 (National Women’s History Museum)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded in 2009 (Britannica)
What did Billie Jean King achieve in tennis?
King’s 39 Grand Slam titles include a record 20 Wimbledon championships — 6 singles, 10 women’s doubles, 4 mixed doubles. She also held the No. 1 ranking for six years and was the first female athlete to earn over $100,000 in prize money in a single season (Billie Jean King official site).
For all her on-court glory, King’s greatest impact came off the court — a legacy that the 39 titles alone don’t fully capture.
What was the Battle of the Sexes?
On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King defeated former men’s champion Bobby Riggs 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 in a nationally televised match at the Houston Astrodome. Riggs, a 55-year-old self-proclaimed male chauvinist, had claimed women’s tennis was inferior. King’s victory was seen as a landmark moment for women’s sports and gender equality. (National Women’s History Museum)
How did King advocate for gender equality?
King led the fight for equal prize money in tennis — successfully pressuring the US Open to offer equal pay in 1973. She also co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the Billie Jean King Foundation. Her advocacy helped pave the way for Title IX enforcement and broader inclusion of women in sports. (National Women’s History Museum; Women’s Sports Foundation)
Which tennis player changed gender?
The most notable example of a transgender tennis player is Renée Richards. Billie Jean King herself has been a vocal supporter of transgender participation in sports.
- Renée Richards — Transitioned in 1975; played professional tennis in the 1970s after winning a landmark legal case to compete as a woman at the US Open. (WTA profile (biographical note))
- Sonay Kartal — A female tennis player from Great Britain; no gender change. She is a cisgender woman. (WTA profile (identity confirmation))
Who is Renée Richards?
Renée Richards is an American ophthalmologist and former professional tennis player. She underwent gender transition in 1975 and fought a legal battle to compete in the 1977 US Open as a woman. The New York Supreme Court ruled in her favor, establishing an important precedent for transgender athletes. (WTA profile)
What gender is Sonay Kartal?
Sonay Kartal is a female tennis player from Great Britain. There is no record or indication of her undergoing any gender change. She competes on the women’s circuit as a cisgender woman. (WTA profile)
The pattern: questions about transgender athletes often get conflated with unrelated player profiles — a reminder to verify before assuming.
What has happened to Ons Jabeur?
Ons Jabeur is a professional tennis player from Tunisia who rose to prominence with deep runs at Grand Slam tournaments. Recently, injuries have slowed her progress.
- Wimbledon finals: 2022, 2023 (WTA profile (career highlights))
- US Open final: 2022 (WTA profile)
- Injury setbacks: Knee and other issues have affected her 2024 season, leading to early exits and time off the tour. (WTA news (injury update))
What is Ons Jabeur’s recent form?
Jabeur began 2024 with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open but has struggled with consistency since. She cited fitness and recovery as priorities.
Has Ons Jabeur been injured?
Yes, Jabeur has dealt with knee tendinitis and other minor injuries that caused her to withdraw from several tournaments in mid-2024. She is expected to return to full fitness for the 2025 season. (WTA profile)
At 29, Jabeur still has time to add a Grand Slam title to her resume — but the window narrows with each season of injury trouble.
The implication: Jabeur’s injuries will determine whether she converts her potential into a Grand Slam title.
What is the Billie Jean King Cup?
The Billie Jean King Cup is the women’s international team tennis competition, formerly known as the Fed Cup. It was renamed in 2020 in honor of Billie Jean King’s contributions to tennis and gender equality. (Billie Jean King Cup official site (naming history))
- Annual tournament organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
- Current champions: Canada (2023).
- Most successful nation: United States (18 titles). (Billie Jean King Cup official site)
How is the Billie Jean King Cup organized?
The competition consists of a World Group (12 top nations), a second-tier World Group II, and five regional groups. Teams compete in home-and-away ties until the Finals, where eight nations gather for a week-long tournament.
Who has won the Billie Jean King Cup?
Since its rebranding, winners include Russia (2021), Switzerland (2022), and Canada (2023). The United States holds the record for most titles with 18 championships. (Billie Jean King Cup official site)
The trade-off: renaming the Cup gave King a permanent honor — but the transition from Fed Cup to Billie Jean King Cup required significant rebranding investment.
For Billie Jean King, the journey from a 15-year-old debutant at the U.S. Championships to a 39-time Grand Slam champion and global activist is a story of relentless perseverance. At 82, she continues to fight for equality through the Billie Jean King Foundation and the Women’s Sports Foundation. The lesson for today’s athletes — and everyone else — is clear: courage off the court can matter as much as victory on it.
Frequently asked questions
How did Billie Jean King get started in tennis?
King started playing tennis at age 11 under coach Clyde Walker. She made her Grand Slam debut at 15 at the U.S. Championships in 1959. (Britannica)
What is Billie Jean King’s real name?
Her birth name is Billie Jean Moffitt. She married Larry King in 1965 and took his surname, keeping it after their divorce in 1987. (Britannica)
What awards has Billie Jean King won?
King received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, was named one of Life magazine’s 100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. (Women’s Sports Foundation)
Does Billie Jean King have a foundation?
Yes, the Billie Jean King Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the next generation and advancing equality. (Billie Jean King official site)
How tall is Billie Jean King?
She is 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) tall. (Britannica)
What is Billie Jean King’s role in the Women’s Sports Foundation?
She founded the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974, an organization that continues to advocate for girls and women in sports. (Women’s Sports Foundation)
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