Robert Kraft among attendees at Billie Jean King’s 75th birthday party
King's birthday fell on Thanksgiving.
NEW YORK (AP) — Billie Jean King is celebrating her 75th birthday, which lands on Thanksgiving this year.
The tennis great recently hosted a birthday party at the New-York Historical Society that included New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and video tributes from former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Pat’s owner Bob Kraft speaking at @BillieJeanKing 75th birthday, calls her “the tom Brady of her era.” Kraft was an original owner in World TeamTennis pic.twitter.com/MMy64GnQzP
— Daniel Kaplan (@KaplanSportsBiz) November 15, 2018
Kraft noted King’s social justice work, including her influence on the passage of Title IX. The 1972 federal law opened doors for girls and women by banning sex discrimination in educational and sports programs. He gifted her a customized Patriots jersey.
Earlier this year, I was gifted a @Dodgers jersey and now a @Patriots jersey too. So fortunate. Thanks, Bob Kraft! ⚾️ 🏈 #grateful #BJK75 pic.twitter.com/gmZDuuEIHs
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 15, 2018
Nona Hendryx, Cyndi Lauper, and Sara Bareilles performed, along with the Girls Prep Choir from the Bronx. Emma Stone and Alan Cumming serenaded King with a tune from “Cabaret.”
Tony Bennett, Jeanie Buss, Holly Hunter, Maria Sharapova and John McEnroe also attended the event, and the museum is running a photo exhibit marking her birthday.
King won 39 Grand Slam titles and received a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
