Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is celebrated as a social pioneer who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and founded the Women's Tennis Association in 1973, transforming women's tennis into a professional, equitable sport. Her most iconic moment was defeating Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the 1973 Battle of the Sexes before 30,492 spectators at the Houston Astrodome, watched by 90 million viewers worldwide, making it the most-watched tennis match in history. King was the first female athlete to earn over $100,000 in a single year (1971), a landmark that surpassed the earnings of #5 Margaret Court by 25% in that season. Her advocacy for equal prize money at Wimbledon in 2005, building on earlier efforts by Venus Williams, sets her apart as a leader whose impact extends beyond her 20 Wimbledon titles, including 6 singles crowns.