Billie Jean King’s ex-husband says he learned she was gay just one day before it became public

Larry King explains that they had discussed having an 'open kind of relationship' but never talked about her sexuality

Billie Jean King’s former husband, Larry King, has revealed that he found out she was gay just one day before the news became public, opening up about the moment in a new documentary that revisits the tennis legend’s life, marriage and personal struggles behind the scenes of her historic career.

Larry King, now in his 80s, said he was blindsided by the revelation in 1981, when King was publicly outed after her former secretary, Marilyn Barnett, filed a lawsuit. “She never mentioned it to me until the day before it hit the press,” he said, explaining that while they had discussed having an “open kind of relationship,” her sexuality had never been directly addressed.

Billie Jean King and Larry King met while attending college in California and married in 1965. They remained together for more than two decades, during which Larry supported her rise to becoming one of the most influential athletes of all time. Reflecting on her impact, he said, “Billie Jean changed women’s tennis,” acknowledging the magnitude of her legacy both on and off the court.

In the documentary, Billie Jean King also reflects on that period of her life, describing how confusing and overwhelming it was. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” she said, explaining that she was still trying to understand her identity at the time. She added that staying in the marriage was ultimately unfair to both of them, as she had not yet come to terms with who she truly was.

Despite the painful circumstances surrounding their split, which became final in 1987, the former couple have remained close friends. Larry emphasised that there is no bitterness between them, noting that time and honesty helped heal old wounds.

Billie Jean King, now married to former tennis player Ilana Kloss, is widely celebrated not only for her dominance on the court but also for her courage and advocacy for equality. Her story continues to resonate decades later, highlighting the personal cost of living authentically during a time when doing so often came at the expense of privacy and peace.