Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King (b. Nov. 22, 1943) is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. King won the singles title at the inaugural WTA Tour Championships. King often represented the United States in the Federation Cup and the Wightman Cup. She was a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. For three years, King was the United States’ captain in the Federation Cup.

King was “outed” in 1981 when her former partner and secretary, Marilyn Barnett filed a “palimony” lawsuit, making King the first prominent professional female athlete to come out as a lesbian. King now lives with her partner of more than 30 years, Ilana Kloss. [ Wikipedia ]