Full Breakdown
Billie Jean King Earns College Degree at 82, 65 Years After First Enrolling
5/20/2026, 4:33:03 AM
Historic Commencement Milestone
On May 18, 2026, 82-year-old tennis champion Billie Jean King received a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Los Angeles. She crossed the stage at the Shrine Auditorium alongside roughly 6,000 members of the Class of 2026.
Academic Journey: From 1961 to 2026
King first enrolled at Los Angeles State College in 1961, the same year she won her Wimbledon doubles title. She left in 1964 to pursue professional tennis, leaving her degree unfinished. In 2024 she announced a return, completed a spring 2025 semester—including credit from the Prison Graduation Initiative—and graduated in 2026.
Key Numbers
King was 82 at graduation, 65 years after her enrollment. About 6,000 graduates attended. Her tennis career includes 39 major titles, including 20 Wimbledon crowns. She is the first member of her immediate family to earn a college degree. Cal State LA’s student body is Hispanic/Latino.
Significance and Message
King used the platform to stress that education remains attainable at any age, urging graduates to pursue unfinished goals. She linked her own fight for equality to the phrase “Si se puede!” and highlighted that inclusion stems from personal experience of exclusion.
Institutional Responses
University President Berenecea Johnson Eanes presented King’s diploma, calling her perseverance a model for adult learners. Mark Walter, owner of Los Angeles Dodgers, said the team believes professions must become more inclusive and equitable, noting King’s role as a “role model in clubhouses.” The Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, co-founded with Ilana Kloss, was cited as an ongoing effort to promote inclusive work environments.
On-Stage Moments
A crying baby interrupted King’s speech, prompting her to ask, “Is it that bad?” which drew laughter. She then shouted “Si se puede!” to a cheering, largely Hispanic audience and tossed signed tennis balls into the crowd.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the date, degree, and King’s remarks; no contradictory accounts appear. Details about any formal master’s-degree plans remain unspecified beyond King’s expressed interest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s never too late, whatever age you are, whatever your abilities are, go for it if you want it.” — Billie Jean King, Commencement Speech, May 2026
- “We can never understand inclusion unless we’ve been excluded.” — Billie Jean King, Commencement Speech, May 2026
- “You’re finding your truth, and it doesn’t have to stay the same,” — Billie Jean King, People magazine interview, 2026
- “We believe all professions, and professional sports, need to be more inclusive and equitable,’’ Walter said at the time.” — Mark Walter, Owner, Los Angeles Dodgers, 2026
What’s Next
King hinted at pursuing a master’s degree, citing Shaquille O’Neal’s recent graduation. She will continue advancing the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and her role as part-owner of the Dodgers and the WNBA’s Sparks to embed inclusion in professional sports.
