Billie Jean King, member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, is a sports icon and humanitarian who won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 championships at Wimbledon. She empowered women and educated men in the historic 1973 "Battle of the Sexes," in which she defeated Bobby Riggs, a former number one player in the world. She founded the Women's Tennis Association and served as its first president. She also founded the Women's Sports Foundation, Women's Sports Magazine, and co-founded World TeamTennis, a groundbreaking co-ed professional tennis league, and World TeamTennis Recreational League, a nationwide, grassroots co-ed tennis program. A champion for social change and equality, she continues to help the underserved. King is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Women's Sports Foundation. She has long been a tireless fighter for equal rights and a champion of Title IX legislation that aimed to equalize opportunities on and off the playing field.
Full Bio- Twenty time Wimbledon tennis champion.
- Founder and first president of the Women's Tennis Association.
- Board of Trustees member for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Fun Facts
I've appeared on Law and Order and Ugly Betty.
I used to work as a playground instructor.
My good friend Elton John penned his song, Philadelphia Freedom, for me.
I love to play tennis in Central Park.