Billie Jean King won 39 Grand Slam titles to become one of the greatest tennis players in history. While writing her name in the record books, she also changed women’s professional sports as an early pioneer of gender equality and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.
Anyone else who’s accomplished so much might consider resting on their laurels by the time their 80s roll around. Not King. At 81, she keeps up a nonstop schedule traveling with her wife, Ilana Kloss, and investing in the relationships and causes that matter to her. King’s even gone back to school to finish her undergraduate degree, a dream deferred that represents a lifelong goal.
She also has a new passion. Promoting the importance of an active lifestyle, no matter your age.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY.com, King opened up about this new chapter and revealed the five habits that have fueled her longevity.
- Meeting New People
Her (very active) Instagram account is proof: King is a social butterfly who makes friends of all walks of life, from students to celebrities. But even the briefest of interactions can make a difference in her day.
“I meet people everywhere, and I think those connections are really important,” she says, adding, “I wish young people would get off their phones and engage in conversations.”
- Good Sleep and Regular Exercise
After being sidelined by knee and shoulder issues, King slowly took tennis back up a few years ago with encouragement from Kloss, a former No. 1-ranked doubles player herself.
“We try to play two, ideally three times a week,” King says. “For older adults I think it really helps with balance.”
Another key piece of the puzzle, as any athlete knows, is prioritizing rest. “We really try to get eight hours of sleep no matter where in the world we are,” she says.
- A Healthy Diet
King tries to eat healthy and avoids red meat, and is focused on keeping a healthy relationship to food, she says.
- Staying Mentally Active
Regularly stimulating your mind helps keep your brain healthy, research shows. For King, that means heading back to college to resume her studies at California State University, Los Angeles, after she dropped out in 1964 to pursue tennis.
- Maintaining a Sense of Purpose
With the U.S. Open underway, King may now be a spectator in the stadium complex that bears her name. But she’s still an active player in the future of tennis — and women’s sports.
“We have a long way to go,” she says. “I just want freedom for everybody to pursue their dreams.”
For King, advocating for women’s sports to be seen as equal to men’s gives her a sense of purpose, which research shows can contribute to healthy aging.
