Billie Jean King At 81 Shares Her Secret To Aging Unapologetically
Hi, I’m Riley Carter, your guide through the haze of cultural moments that matter, and honestly, some that really don’t. Today, we’re diving into something unexpectedly refreshing: a living legend giving zero f*cks about aging and owning every wrinkle like it’s a badge of honor. Enter: Billie Jean King.
At 81, Billie Jean King isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving, studying, and schooling us all on what it means to age with purpose, balance, and a whole lot of tennis. Known for her 39 Grand Slam titles and her lifelong fight for gender equality in sports, King recently opened up about her approach to health, happiness, and the art of not giving a damn what people think about getting older.
King, who retired from professional tennis in 1983, still plays the game two or three times a week—not just for the nostalgia, but for the balance and physical engagement it brings. She swears by the basics: eight hours of sleep no matter where in the world she is, regular exercise (preferably with a racket), and a diet that mostly avoids red meat but doesn’t demonize food. Her philosophy? Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and above all, keep it enjoyable.
But it’s not just physical health that keeps her going—it’s the mental and emotional side of things that really set her apart. King emphasizes the importance of human connection, urging younger generations to put down their phones and actually talk to people. She practices what she preaches, currently going back to school at California State University, Los Angeles, decades after dropping out in 1964 to focus on her tennis career. For King, finishing her degree wasn’t just about checking a box—it was about staying sharp, staying curious, and living a life with purpose.
Her words on aging are as bold as her legacy. “I don’t think of getting older as looking better or worse; it’s just different,” she told Self. “Life is about change.” She’s also been vocal about the societal pressure on women to resist aging, calling it a “brilliant way to keep people enslaved.” King rejects the idea that aging is a failure. Instead, she sees it as a privilege—one that not everyone gets to experience.
From Harper’s Bazaar to Bustle, King has consistently shared her unfiltered thoughts on body image, aging, and self-acceptance. “I’m actually happier with my body now,” she told Popsugar, “because the body I have now is the body I’ve worked for.” She’s not afraid to acknowledge that her body might sag or wrinkle, but she’s more than okay with that trade-off: “Gravity and wrinkles are fine with me. They’re a small price to pay for the new wisdom inside my head and my heart.”
King’s fearless attitude isn’t just about aging—it’s about life. She’s been a trailblazer for women’s rights in sports and beyond, and she’s not slowing down. As she told The Los Angeles Times, “We have a long way to go. I just want freedom for everybody to pursue their dreams.”
So, what can we learn from Billie Jean King? That aging isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace. That staying active, curious, and connected keeps you young in spirit. And that sometimes, the best way to live your best life is to just say “F–k you” to society’s expectations and swing your way through life like you’re still in the final set of a Grand Slam.
Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Today, Self, Harper’s Bazaar, Popsugar, Bustle, Los Angeles Times
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