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More than 60 years after leaving college for tennis, Billie Jean King returned to complete her history degree at 82, proving it’s never too late to finish.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, 82, left, poses with California State University, Los Angeles, President Berenecea Johnson Eanes after receiving her diploma during commencement in Los Angeles, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
More than six decades after she walked away from college to chase tennis greatness, Billie Jean King finally returned to finish what she started.
And at 82 years old, the tennis icon officially became a university graduate.
King earned her bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Los Angeles on Monday in a deeply emotional full-circle moment that blended sport, activism and unfinished dreams.
“It is never, ever, too late to finish what you have started,” King wrote on X after receiving her diploma.
A Journey That Began In 1961
King first enrolled at what was then called Los Angeles State College in 1961.
But by 1964, tennis had already begun pulling her toward global stardom. She left college to pursue the sport professionally after winning her first Wimbledon doubles title while still a student.
The decision changed sports history forever.
King went on to win 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles crowns, and became one of the most influential figures not only in tennis, but in the wider fight for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality.
She co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association and played a central role in pushing for equal pay and equal opportunities in women’s sports.
Back To The Classroom At 82
The desire to complete her degree resurfaced just over a year ago when King discovered she was only one year short of graduating.
So she went back to class.
King completed remote coursework in historical research, writing and historiography — the study of how history is interpreted and recorded.
Appropriately, many of her studies focused on causes she personally helped shape, including Title IX and LGBTQ+ rights movements in the United States.
A Graduation Fitting For A Legend
King celebrated the moment in trademark style.
Wearing a gold stole reading “student athlete” and “G.O.A.T.,” she received her diploma from university president Berenecea Johnson Eanes before delighting fellow graduates by hitting tennis balls into the crowd from the stage.
Her remarkable legacy already includes the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Now, she can finally add one more title to the list: College graduate.
(with IANS inputs)
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