Billie Jean King’s Net Worth 2024

Billie Jean King, an iconic figure in the realm of professional tennis, boasts a net worth of $20 million.

Renowned for her extraordinary achievements both on and off the court, King is celebrated as one of the greatest tennis players in history.

Her illustrious career includes a staggering 39 Grand Slam titles—comprising 12 singles, 11 mixed doubles, and 16 women’s doubles championships.

Additionally, she clinched the singles title at the inaugural WTA Tour Championships, further cementing her legacy in the sport.

Early Life And Career Beginnings

Billie Jean King was born Billie Jean Moffitt on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California. Raised in a conservative Methodist family, King grew up alongside her younger brother Randy.

Initially excelling in basketball and softball, she transitioned to tennis at age 11 upon her parents’ suggestion of a “more ladylike” sport.

With a modest $8 saved from her allowances, she purchased her first racket and began training under tennis professional Clyde Walker on public courts, one of which was later named the Billie Jean Moffitt King Tennis Center.

King’s prowess on the court was evident early on. By 1959, she had turned professional, and by 1961, she and Karen Hantze Susman became the youngest pair to win the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon.

King continued to dominate, winning her first Wimbledon singles title in 1966 and repeating the feat in 1967 and 1968.

Her dominance extended to the U.S. Open and Australian Open, and she was consistently ranked the world’s #1 female tennis player in multiple years.

Career Milestones And Advocacy

King’s career is marked by several landmark achievements. In 1972, she became the first female athlete to win over $100,000 in prize money.

Her 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs was a pivotal moment, both for her career and for gender equality in sports, drawing a global audience of 90 million viewers.

Her advocacy for gender equality is equally notable. In 1970, King was instrumental in forming the Virginia Slims Circuit, the first professional all-women tennis tour, and in 1973, she became the president of the Women’s Tennis Association.

King also spearheaded the campaign for equal prize money in tennis, compelling the U.S. Open to match the prize funds between men and women, a groundbreaking achievement for the sport.

Post-Retirement And Contributions

Following her retirement in 1984, King’s influence extended beyond the court. She served as the Commissioner of World TeamTennis (WTT) and co-founded World TeamTennis Smash Hits, a charity event benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

King’s impact on tennis continued through her roles as captain of the U.S. Fed Cup team and coaching the women’s Olympic tennis team.

In 2013, she was named to the Presidential Delegation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, although she withdrew due to her mother’s illness.

King’s legacy is preserved through various honors and contributions. In 1987, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and she received the Fed Cup Award of Excellence in 2010.

President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. The Fed Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in 2020, recognizing her monumental contributions to women’s sports.

Personal Life And Legacy

Billie Jean King married attorney Larry King in 1965, but their marriage ended in 1987. King then married Ilana Kloss in 2018.

Her personal life, including her public coming out as a gay woman and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, has significantly impacted her public persona.

King’s involvement with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks as a minority owner highlights her ongoing engagement with sports.

Her brother Randy Moffitt’s career as a professional baseball player further connects her to the sporting world.

King’s enduring influence is reflected in her continued advocacy for gender equality and her significant contributions to the development of women’s professional sports.