Billie Jean King, the 82-year-old tennis legend, is set to graduate from California State University, Los Angeles, with a bachelor’s degree in history.
What drove Billie Jean King to graduate?
She returned to college in early 2025 to finish her degree, which she had originally pursued from 1961 through 1964 before leaving to focus on her tennis career.
Billie Jean King told USA Today’s Studio IX that graduating is "just thrilling" and she's excited about the response from people of all age groups.
Why it matters for Billie Jean King
This achievement is "right up there" with her 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, and 11 mixed doubles championships.
She's the first one in her immediate family to graduate college, which is important to her.
What comes next for Billie Jean King?
After discovering she was only one year away from completing her degree, King decided to go back to school, thanks to Marjorie Gantman, managing director of BJK Enterprises.
King played tennis for nearly 25 years and became known for her activism for gender equality, founding the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973.
She successfully championed for equal pay, forcing the U.S. Open to become the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money to both men and women in 1973.
King defeated Bobby Riggs in the landmark Battle of the Sexes exhibition match, a pivotal moment for gender equality in sports, on September 20, 1973.
The match served as inspiration for the acclaimed 2017 sports comedy Battle of the Sexes, starring Emma Stone as King, opposite Steve Carell as Riggs.
King and her tennis partner, Karen Hantze, became the youngest team to win a Wimbledon doubles title in 1961, when King was 17 and Hantze was 18.
They were later dethroned by Martina Hingis, who won at just 15 with Helena Suková in 1996.
King's upcoming collegiate honor is a testament to her hard work and dedication, inspiring fans around the world.
And as she prepares to participate in Monday’s commencement, King is excited to add this new achievement to her already impressive resumé.
But for King, this achievement is not just about her; it's about the impact it can have on others, particularly women and girls in sports.
So as she looks to the future, King remains committed to promoting equality and inspiring the next generation of athletes.