Billie Jean King received a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Los Angeles, on May 18, 2024 [1], [2].
The graduation marks the completion of a lifelong personal goal for the 82-year-old [1] tennis champion and equality activist. By earning the degree, King became the first person in her family to graduate from college [1].
King first enrolled at the institution, known as Cal State LA, in 1961 [3]. The path to her degree spanned 65 years [1], as her professional tennis career and activism took precedence over her formal studies for over six decades.
During the commencement ceremony, King joined a graduating class of about 6,000 students [1]. The event served as a public celebration of persistence and the pursuit of education regardless of age or previous achievement.
"It is never too late," King said [3].
Her return to the classroom to finish the degree reflects a commitment to history and academic achievement that mirrored her career-long fight for gender equality in sports. The degree in history provides a formal academic framework to the legacy she has built as a pioneer for women's rights in the U.S. athletic system.
“"It is never too late"”
King's graduation highlights a growing trend of lifelong learning and the removal of age-based stigmas in higher education. By completing a degree started in 1961, she demonstrates that academic achievement can be a cumulative process rather than a linear one, potentially encouraging older adults to return to formal education.
