Former World No. 1 tennis player Billie Jean has an estimated net worth of around $20 million, primarily derived from her successful career, which includes prize money, endorsements, and other business ventures.
Billie Jean King is a legendary player and advocate for gender equality in sports.
Born on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California, she has won an impressive 39 Grand Slam titles.
These include 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.
She is best known for her victory against Bobby Riggs in the 1973 Battle of the Sexes, which brought huge global attention to the Women’s sport.
Additionally, she played a prime role in forming the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973.
Billie Jean King Became The First Female Athlete To Pass $100,000 In A Season In 1971
Billie Jean King has had a successful career in tennis, business, and advocacy.
Throughout her 22-year career as a player, Billie Jean earned $1,966,487 in prize money, which contributed to her estimated net worth of $20 million.
King’s total career earnings, including prize money, endorsements, and other ventures, amount to approximately $20,558,986.
In addition to her tennis career, she has made millions in sponsorships from various brands. In 1970, she had a sponsorship deal with Adidas.
Her earnings significantly increased after Head, a major sports equipment company, sponsored her racket.
She signed a contract with Glamour magazine, which remains active and is reportedly worth $1 million.
While specific figures of her income aren’t available, her involvement in documentaries and TV appearances has contributed to her overall net worth.
She appeared in several TV series such as Arli$$, Ugly Betty, Fresh Off the Boat, and so on.
Additionally, she has published several books, including Pressure Is a Privilege: Lesson I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes (2008).
It is known that this book has been well-received and has surely contributed to her financial standings.
Now, talking about her accolades, in 2009, she was honored by then-President Barack Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She was honored with the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and later received the Fed Cup Award of Excellence in 2010.
Moreover, her other awards include the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
These awards not only enhanced her reputation but also opened up opportunities for different endorsements.
King’s Contributions To Tennis And Her Advocacy For Gender Equality
Billie has advocated for gender equality and social justice throughout her career.
She first experienced gender inequality at 12 and has been vocal about gender equality in sports since then.
In 1971, she co-founded the WTA, which united female players and demanded equal treatment in a sport long dominated by men.
Similarly, in 1974, she played a key role in forming the Women’s Sports Foundation, which promotes gender equality in sports.
She played a crucial role in advocating for equal prize money at the U.S. Open.
As a result, it became the first major tournament to offer equal financial rewards to both male and female athletes.
Additionally, she co-founded World TeamTennis (WTT), the only professional co-ed team sports league, and has promoted gender mainstreaming.
Her advocacy work has earned her numerous awards from various high personalities.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Billie has been married twice. Her first marriage was with Larry King, but they divorced in 1987.
- She married Ilana Kloss, a South African former tennis player, in 2018.
- She was born to parents Willard King, an engineer for the fire department, and Betty Moffitt, a receptionist at the medical center.
