“The courage, fortitude, and commitment that have defined Billie Jean all of her life have been an inspiration to me and to so many others,” Venus Williams once said about the WTA founder Billie Jean King. BJK has advocated for women’s sport for over 50 years, and she isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From demanding equal prize money to triumphing in the historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ against Bobby Riggs in order to shatter antiquated notions of gender superiority, King’s impact extended way beyond the confines of the tennis court. She used sports as a catalyst for social change. Recently, this 81-year-old trailblazer was celebrated in a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard on April 7, 2025!

Billie Jean King made history by becoming the first woman to receive a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s newly created Sports Entertainment category. Created in 2023, the Sports Entertainment category honors individuals who have showcased excellence and longevity in both sports and entertainment. With this feat, King has now joined the likes of the previous recipients of the Sports Entertainment category – Michael Strahan and the late Carl Weathers.

 “Sports are entertainment, and as athletes, we love performing in front of an audience,” said King, who grew up in Long Beach, 34 miles south of Hollywood. “It’s an honor to be the first woman in the sports entertainment category… but the important thing is I don’t want to be the last,” she further added.

In this mega event, King was joined by friends Magic Johnson and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis. King’s wife, Ilana Kloss, was also spotted with the tennis legend as the couple posed together for the camera. The star-studded ceremony reunited King with Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony. Even the retired trainer Connie Spooner and the five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova, were spotted at the venue, along with the former WTA CEO, Stacey Allaster.

Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles (12 singles, 16 doubles, and 11 mixed doubles) in her career, but talking about some of her other astonishing feats, in 1971, she became the first women’s pro athlete to win $100,00 in prize money in a calendar year. Only five baseball players earned more than her back then. Then, a year later, King became the first female athlete ever to be named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.

While sharing his thoughts on King’s incredible contributions to the sport, Magic Johnson said, “I am so honored that I was able to attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony for my incredible business partner and one of the greatest tennis champions in the world, Billie Jean King! You lend your platform and your voice and your time and your money to bring about change…I will always admire how she spearheaded equal pay for women’s tennis players!” Even Curtis had kind words for BJK. 

She said, “Billie Jean King’s contribution is power. She’s power on the courts, she’s power in the courts, she’s power in the press, power in her public advocacy, power in her fight for freedom, power to be who she is now.”

Even at 81 years of age, King recently set yet another example by taking a pivotal step toward an unfinished dream. What’s it?

Billie Jean King spills the beans on her ‘Road to Graduation’

Billie Jean King rose to stardom with her incredible tennis in the late 60s and early 70s. Later, she even became a key figure behind the creation of the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973. Throughout this period, she put in valiant efforts to promote women in sports. She pioneered a change by being vocal about equality in sports.

While trying to revolutionize the sport, King had to leave her studies in the middle. She completed her schooling at Long Beach Polytechnic High School before attending California State University, LA in the 1960s.

Highlighting all of that in a video clip that she uploaded a few weeks ago on her social media account, King said, “60 years ago, I left California State College, at that time, now it’s California State University in Los Angeles, to go and be No. 1 in the world. I went to Australia and I became No. 1. But, it has always bothered me that I haven’t graduated.” However, as things stand, she is now determined to complete her unfinished business!

Further in that video clip, she revealed that she had yet again entered the university and was going to embark on her ‘Road to Graduation.’ “So, we’re gonna call this the ‘Road to Graduation.’ I have entered Cal State LA… and I was a history major, and I’m back being a history major,” King said.

Last year, BJK was honored by California State University, LA, and they even made a bronze statue of the tennis legend. King’s journey has truly been inspirational! No wonder her contributions are being celebrated not only in sports but across different spheres now.