Billie Jean King, 82, earns a college degree 65 years after starting at Cal State LA

Billie Jean King, the tennis legend and advocate for equality, earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State Los Angeles on Monday, 65 years after initially enrolling in 1961. The 82-year-old walked across the stage at the Shrine Auditorium as part of the Class of 2026, wearing hot pink glasses and royal blue sneakers. She is the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college, a milestone she said meant more than she expected. King’s journey reflects the challenges women faced in education and sports during the 1960s. She attended Cal State LA while pursuing her tennis career, but financial support for female student-athletes was nonexistent at the time, unlike for her male peers at UCLA and USC, such as Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith. Despite winning her first Wimbledon title in 1961, she left school to focus on her career, later becoming the first woman to win 20 Wimbledon titles and securing a historic victory over Bobby Riggs in the 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes.’ Her graduation stole featured her initials and the acronym G.O.A.T., along with an embroidered tennis racket, symbolizing her legacy as the ‘greatest of all time.’ King addressed the crowd, sharing stories of her early struggles, including winning a $45 gift voucher for her Wimbledon doubles victory in 1961—a stark contrast to today’s prize money. She urged students to embrace lifelong learning, citing her own persistence and the inspiration of others like Shaquille O’Neal, who recently earned a master’s degree. During the ceremony, King interacted with student-athletes and the school mascot, tossing autographed tennis balls into the crowd. She reflected on the differences between education in the 1960s and today, noting the shift toward virtual learning while emphasizing the value of in-person engagement with professors. Her speech included a rallying cry of ‘Si se puede!’—‘Yes, you can!’—as she encouraged others to pursue their dreams regardless of age or background. King’s achievement highlights her lifelong commitment to equality, both in sports and education. She has long corrected biographies that mistakenly claimed she had graduated, insisting she had not yet earned her degree. Now, she hopes her accomplishment will inspire others to return to school and never give up on their goals.