Billie Jean King, a celebrated name in professional tennis, is a renowned former tennis player who as of 2023 has a net worth of $20 million.

King’s start in tennis came at the young age of 11 when her parents suggested she pick up a more "ladylike" sport as opposed to playing basketball and softball.

Winning a total of 39 Grand Slam titles, 12 in singles, 11 in mixed doubles, and 16 in women’s doubles, she is one of the most highly decorated tennis players in the world.

King was ranked the #1 female tennis player for three consecutive years in 1966, 1967, and 1968, losing that title in 1969 before reclaiming it in 1971, 1972, and 1974.

Becoming the first female with a cup named after her, following the renaming of the Federation Cup to the Billie Jean Cup in 2020, the retired 79-year-old player has cemented her status as one of the greatest to ever touch the court.

Billie Jean King Net worth

Growing up in a working middle-class family, King’s life was just like many others, having to pick a job for $100 a week as a playground instructor while she studied at Los Angeles State College.

At the same time, she was dominating the amateur scene in Wimbledon, the oldest and arguably, most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, founded in 1877.

As she garnered attention and delivered stellar performances, King dropped out of college in favor of pursuing a more serious career in tennis, and with the birth of the Open Tennis Era in 1968, which allowed amateurs to compete with professionals, she quickly made a name for herself, turn pro that same year.

Holding a win-loss record of 52 – 4, it’s no surprise she was the first female tennis player to earn $100,000, a feat she accomplished in 1971, with President Richard Nixon personally calling to congratulate her.

Playing during a time when women earned significantly less than their male counterparts, King became a beacon of hope for other female players. When she won the U.S. Open in 1972, she received a $10,000 paycheck, which was $15,000 less than that of Ilie Nastase who received $25,000 for winning the competition that same year in the men’s division.

Following protests from King who stated she would not play the following year if prizes were not made equal, the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money for both men and women in 1973.

Throughout her 22-year career as a player, King has won 129 singles titles, taking home a total of approximately $2 million in prize money. She’s also made millions in sponsorships from brands and companies at the time, adding to her impressive fortune.

Additionally, she received wide appraisal when she faced off against former male #1 tennis player, Bobby Riggs, in the iconic Battle of the Sexes tennis match. The latter, who was 55 years old at the time of the match, claimed he could beat 29-year-old King, but ended up losing. Regardless, the event which amassed 90 million viewers worldwide saw both players earn massive paychecks for their time on the court.