How old was Billie Jean King when she played Bobby Riggs?

How old was Billie Jean King when she played Bobby Riggs?

No tennis match was ever fraught with more symbolism than the Septem “Battle of the Sexes” clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. As the very name of this one-off event implied, King-Riggs tilted on contrast. Woman versus man. The 29-year-old King taking on the 55-year-old Riggs.

What happened to Bobby Riggs?

In 1988, Riggs was diagnosed in prostate cancer, which he battled off and on for seven years until the disease took his life in 1995. His final public tennis match before his death occurred in 1993, when he participated in an AIDS charity exhibition doubles match against Elton John and Martina Navratilova.

Who won between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King?

48 Years Ago Today: Billie Jean King Defeated Bobby Riggs In Battle Of The Sexes. Forty-eight years ago, on Septem, tennis champion Billie Jean King (age 29 then) defeated self-proclaimed male chauvinist Bobby “No-Broad-Can-Beat-Me” Riggs in the “Battle Of The Sexes” tennis match.

Is Billie Jean about Billie Jean King?

Jones also wanted to change the title to "Not My Lover", as he believed that people would think the song referred the tennis player Billie Jean King. Jackson refused to change the title and asked Jones to give him co-producing credits for the track, as he felt that the finished product sounded close to his demo.

Was Bobby Riggs a hustler?

After retirement from his pro career, Riggs became well known as a hustler and gambler. He organized numerous exhibition challenges, inviting active and retired tennis pros to participate. In September 1973, at age 55, he held one such event against the then current women's champion Billie Jean King, which he lost.

Did Billie Jean beat Riggs?

Forty-eight years ago, on Septem, tennis champion Billie Jean King (age 29 then) defeated self-proclaimed male chauvinist Bobby “No-Broad-Can-Beat-Me” Riggs in the “Battle Of The Sexes” tennis match. ... More importantly, King's victory made it a game-changer for women's tennis.

Did Margaret Court beat Billie Jean?

Margaret Court vs. Billie Jean King. The rivalry between Billie Jean King and Margaret Court barely beat out the 1930s competition involving Don Budge and Gottfried von Cramm for the final spot on our list. King and Court faced each other 32 times, with Court winning 22.

Is Billie Jean Based on a true story?

There never was a real Billie Jean. The girl in the song is a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years. I could never understand how these girls could say they were carrying someone's child when it wasn't true.

What was Bobby Riggs rank when he played Billie Jean?

On Septem, in a highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, top women's player Billie Jean King, 29, beats Bobby Riggs, 55, a former No. 1 ranked men's player.

Did Margaret Court play Bobby?

In 1970, Margaret Court completed the first singles Grand Slam of all four slams in one year and by the time she played Riggs in May 1973 she had captured 22 major crowns in singles.

Did Billie Jean King really give Bobby Riggs a pig?

• And, while there's a lot in the movie that seems unbelievable, I can confirm that this one detail is true: yes, Billie Jean King really did give Bobby Riggs a pig. In the film, the baby pig that King, as played by Emma Stone, gives Riggs (Steve Carell) is only briefly shown during a montage of the two players doing press.

What are facts about Billie Jean King?

• Billie Jean King, née Billie Jean Moffitt, (born Novem, Long Beach, California, U.S.), American tennis player whose influence and playing style elevated the status of women’s professional tennis beginning in the late 1960s. In her career she won 39 major titles, competing in both singles and doubles.

What man did Billie Jean King beat?

• And Only 34 Years After Billie Jean King Beat Bobby Riggs! At the time Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in 1973’s circus-like “ Battle of the Sexes ,” Ms. King, as women’s Wimbledon singles champion, earned about 40 percent of what her male counterparts did at the same tournament.

Why is Billie Jean King famous?

• Billie Jean King. Nationality: Why Famous: Won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 16 women's doubles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. King is a strong advocate for sexual equality, famously winning the " Battle of the Sexes " match against the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in 1973.