Billie Jean King, 82, earns a college degree 65 years after starting at Cal State LA – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
Los Angeles – Billie Jean King stepped onto the graduation stage at 82, completing a bachelor’s degree in history that she first pursued in 1961. The tennis legend joined thousands of fellow graduates at Cal State Los Angeles, marking the end of a journey interrupted by a career that reshaped women’s sports. Her achievement stands out even among a class where most students, like her, became the first in their immediate families to earn a college diploma.
A Milestone Delayed by History
King enrolled at the campus five miles east of downtown Los Angeles the same year she captured her first Wimbledon title in women’s doubles. Financial barriers for female athletes at the time left her without scholarship support, unlike male peers such as Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith. She left school to chase a world ranking that eventually produced 39 major championships and the landmark 1973 Battle of the Sexes victory. The decision carried a quiet regret that lingered for decades. King routinely corrected biographers who assumed she had already graduated. Only after announcing her return two years ago did the unfinished chapter close.
Equality Lessons Carried Forward
During her commencement address, King reminded the audience that true inclusion requires firsthand experience with exclusion. She spoke directly about the lack of opportunities for women in 1961 and the progress that followed her advocacy for equal prize money and a professional tour. The crowd responded with cheers when she closed with the phrase “Si se puede!” A brief interruption from a crying baby in the balcony drew laughter and a lighthearted reply from King. She later joined student athletes and the school mascot to hit autographed tennis balls into the stands, blending celebration with her lifelong commitment to access.
Then and Now in the Classroom
King noted sharp differences between her early college years and the present. Classes in the 1960s required physical presence, and she valued direct conversations with professors even when she did not attend every session. Today’s virtual options would have changed the experience entirely, she observed. Prize money has also transformed. A Wimbledon doubles title in 1961 brought a modest $45 gift voucher; the same achievement now approaches half a million dollars. These contrasts underscored how far opportunities for women have advanced since her student-athlete days.
Looking Ahead After the Cap and Gown
King described the moment as more meaningful than she had expected. She expressed hope that her story would encourage at least one other person to return to school. When asked about further studies, she pointed to recent news of another athlete completing a master’s degree and called continued learning wonderful at any age. The gold stole on her gown, embroidered by a friend with her initials, the letters G.O.A.T., and a multicolored tennis racket, captured both personal triumph and public legacy. For King, the degree represents one more step in a life defined by persistence rather than a final destination.
