Book IWD Speaker: Billie Jean King

Former World No.1 Tennis Player with 39 Grand Slam Titles, Founder of the Women's Tennis Association & the Women's Sports Foundation

Billie Jean King is one of the most influential figures in the history of sport. A former World No.1 tennis player, she reshaped the game through performance, leadership and a lifelong commitment to equality. Across her career, she won an extraordinary 39 Grand Slam titles, a record that reflects both longevity and dominance at the highest level of international tennis.

Her impact goes far beyond trophies. In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the iconic Battle of the Sexes match, watched by millions around the world. The victory became a cultural moment, challenging outdated attitudes to women’s sport and proving that skill, preparation and belief matter more than stereotypes. It remains one of the most important matches ever played.

Billie Jean King was also a pioneer behind the scenes. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association, helping to secure equal prize money and professional respect for female players. She later established the Women’s Sports Foundation, which continues to champion access, funding and opportunity for women and girls in sport. Her advocacy for gender equality and social justice has influenced policy, culture and generations of athletes.

Her achievements have been recognised globally. Billie Jean King has been inducted into both the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She has received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, the French Legion of Honour and a Congressional Gold Medal. She also became the first woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the sports entertainment category.

As a speaker for International Women’s Day, Billie Jean King brings authority, credibility and lived experience. She speaks about leadership, courage and systemic change, grounded in real moments where progress had to be fought for. One example she often references is negotiating equal prize money at the US Open, a reminder that change happens when people are willing to challenge the status quo and persist.

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