Timeline

November 22, 1943 – Born as Billie Jean Moffitt in Long Beach, California

Was introduced to tennis by her friend Susan Williams

Won her first tournament in a Southern California Championship

1961 – Competed in her first Wimbledon tournament in London

1965

Married law student Larry King; name changed to Billie Jean King

Became number one in the world for women's singles tennis

Played and won the famous “Battle of the Sexes” against past tennis champion Bobby Riggs

Publicly outed as gay; lost all endorsement deals

2018 – Married partner Ilana Kloss