Billie Jean King degree: Tennis icon earns Cal State Los Angeles history BA at 82

Billie Jean King celebrated a different kind of milestone in Los Angeles. The tennis great completed a long-delayed university goal.

King received a bachelors of art in history from Cal State Los Angeles on Monday. King was 82. King joined about 6,000 others in the Class of 2026 at the Shrine Auditorium.

King walked across the stage wearing hot pink glasses and royal blue sneakers. King later urged others to consider returning to education. "Its never too late, whatever age you are, whatever your abilities are, go for it if you want it," King said afterward. King said the degree felt more meaningful than expected.

Billie Jean King degree at Cal State Los Angeles

King announced two years ago that King would finish the degree at Cal State Los Angeles. A bronze statue of King stands outside the physical education building. King became the first member of King’s immediate family to graduate from college. Many classmates shared that first-generation experience. The university has a predominantly Hispanic and Latino student body.

King’s black gown included a gold graduation stole that a friend personalised. One side showed King’s initials and the letters G.0.A.T. The other side had a multi-coloured tennis racket. "It means a lot more to me than I thought," King said afterward. "I am so glad I did it. My hope is that one other person will go back to school."

Billie Jean King speech on equality and inclusion

During the ceremony, King described how women athletes lacked support in earlier decades. "Being a student-athlete didnt mean I had a scholarship," King told the crowd. "Financial support wasnt available to women in 1961, even though my friends Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith were both scholarship students on the mens teams at UCLA and USC."

King linked those experiences to a broader message about fairness. King said inclusion is clearer after exclusion. "We can never understand inclusion unless weve been excluded," King said. During the speech, a screaming baby in the balcony interrupted. "Is it that bad?" King asked, and the crowd laughed.

King punctuated the address with a cry of "Si se puede!" The audience cheered and applauded the phrase meaning Yes you can. Joined by student athletes and the school mascot, King hit autographed tennis balls into the crowd. The moment added a sporting touch to a graduation ceremony.

Billie Jean King education journey since 1961

King first enrolled at the campus five miles east of downtown in 1961. That year, King won the first of a record-tying 20 Wimbledon titles. The 1961 title was in womens doubles. King soon left school while pursuing a world No. 1 goal. King later won 39 major championships.

King told students that the sport’s rewards have changed sharply. "Things were different then," King said. "Winning a Wimbledon doubles title today is worth close to half a million dollars. In 1961, I think we won a $45 gift voucher to a local store." King also referenced the 1973 Battle of the Sexes win over Bobby Riggs.

King helped establish the current womens pro tour. King also pushed for higher prize money and wider opportunities for women. King compared learning methods across decades. "The biggest difference between learning in the 60s and today? Its so much more virtual," King said. "Gosh, we had to be in class. I didnt go all the time, but I loved talking to the professors and I loved learning."

Even with major success, King felt uneasy about the unfinished degree. King said King corrected biographical notes that claimed graduation. "I said, Dont ever say graduated, I havent earned it yet," King said. "I was thinking today coming over here for the first time actually they can say I graduated now."

King also raised the idea of more study after watching another athlete. "I just turned on the news and theres Shaq walking across at LSU getting his masters," King said. "I just think its wonderful to keep learning." King’s ceremony marked the end of a 65-year journey from first classes to a completed degree.

With inputs from PTI