Billie Jean King has faced the toughest times on and off the tennis court. She was one of the few tennis players that contributed to the success of women’s tennis today. Even so, King continues to support and encourage women to play tennis and other sports.
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However, she lost everything she had worked so hard for, including the money, at one point in her professional career. The former tennis player’s coming out as gay in 1981 caused a tremendous scandal. She had an alleged affair with her personal hairdresser and assistant for years, according to the complaint registered.
Billie Jean King opens up about her affair
After so many years, the 12-time grand slam champion opened up about her struggle, that she went through when her personal assistant filed a palimony case against the tennis legend for having a secret affair. The tennis legend was not able to hide it and wanted to open up to the public and let them know the reality, rather than create more problems. She said, “I’d grown up in a homophobic environment, so it was really something I was. This is the biggest struggle I’ve ever had in my life.”
She further discussed with her PR team and lawyer about holding a press conference and letting over the reality. Even after the decline of this press meet, she stood and talked everything about her sexuality.
She recalled the time during the press conference and said, “I told the truth that this press conference, of course, you could have heard a pin drop because I said yes, I did have an affair with Marilyn Barnett. And I went you’d hear me go like that. The truth always sets you free. Eventually, I did lose all my money overnight in 24 hours every single endorsement, I had, I lost it all in 24 hours and it’s okay.”
However, at that time the 12-time grand slam champion was originally married to Larry, who was also a college tennis player. They met in college back in 1963 and were married in 1965. It was Larry’s idea to have a professional world tour for women other than the men’s one.
King’s earning back in the days
She was known for being the first woman to earn more than $100,000 in 1971. And after defeating Bobby Riggs in the famous ‘Battle of Sexes’, she started creating more money than a normal tennis player.
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The American player was earning good money with all the endorsements and matches money that she uses to receive. However, the identity revelation idea cost her a lot of millions but turned out to be her charm.
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Edited by
Pritam Priyedarshi