California native Billie Jean King, widely recognized as the American former world No. 1 tennis player, married her then-husband Larry King on September 17, 1965. However, she couldn’t make her marriage last due to her struggles with sexual identity.
When the couple tied the knot, the tennis pro fell in love with Larry. In her autobiography All-In, she revealed that she thought that her marital relationship was forever.
I thought we’d be together the rest of our lives, have two to four kids, the whole nine yards.
But by the time the young couple celebrated their third marriage anniversary, Billie realized her inclination towards women. However, due to societal pressure, she had denied it for years due to societal pressure.
While still married, she became physically involved with another woman. Well, the fact is also that she had admitted her extra-marital affair with a woman on the road in front of her then-husband in 1969.
Despite confessing the affair, the King couple didn’t consider divorce; instead, they kept continuing their marriage.
Two years later, in 1971, Billie Jean King became pregnant with her first child during her ‘rare night’ with her husband Larry. But she later aborted the child without the consent of Larry.
In 1972, Billie again fell in love with her then-secretary Marilyn Barnett, but that relationship cost her so much.
Marilyn sued Billiee and outed her to come out as a lesbian publicly during a media conference on May 1, 1981, with her husband Larry by her side.
While accepting her affair with Marilyn, Billie also acknowledged the role of her husband in her life, saying,
I did have an affair with Marilyn Barnett. It’s been over for quite some time and…shocked that Marilyn has done this not only to herself in a very self-destructive way but to other people who have cared for her…. I don’t really think I’m going to be able to talk to you very much um because of the legalities but it’s very important to me to especially thank Larry cuz I love him very much he’s my lover my husband and my best friend has been for 19 years.
Via Youtube
Even after that, Bille and her hubby remained in an ‘on and off’ relationship for the next six years and finally separated in 1987.
Shortly after, the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year lifetime achievement award winner began dating fellow tennis player Ilana Kloss. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Larry, settled down with his second wife, Nancy King.
Billie Jean King Is Now Happily Married to Her Long-Time Partner Ilana Kloss!
According to several reports, Billie Jean King and her now-wife Ilana Kloss remained in a relationship for over four decades before they finally tied the knot secretly in 2018. This was three years after the United States legalized same-sex marriage.
Initially, Billie was hesitant to officially marry Ilana. But John McEnroe convinced the lady couple to go official.
John McEnroe saw me at Elton’s Smash Hit fund-raiser in Las Vegas and needled me: ‘C’mon, Billie Jean! Why not get married? Wrap it up and put a bow on it already.
Via People
In her memoir, she talked about her marriage ceremony, which was held at former New York Mayor David Dinkins’ Manhattan apartment. Billie wrote,
Nobody threw rice or smashed wedding cake in the other’s face. One of the brides wore jeans and a lovely red scarf and the other had on a black shirt, a comfortable warm‑up suit, and pearls — ha! — a personal touch of glamour that Ilana still teases me about.
It’s already been half a decade, and they share a beautiful relationship. They are not only life partners but also business partners.
Kloss is currently the CEO of World TeamTennis, which was founded by Billie Jean King, her ex-husband Larry, and Dennis Murphy.
Likewise, Billie and Kloss have invested together in several professional sports teams, including Angel City Football Club.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Billie Jean King was born ‘Billie Jean Moffitt’ in Long Beach, California, on November 22, 1943.
- She was 17 years old when she met her then-future husband, Larry King, and the two walked down the aisle when she was in her early 20s.
- Billie graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1961 and later attended Los Angeles State College, now California State University.
- Her then-husband Larry is an attorney, pilot, real estate broker, and American sports promoter.
