Ilana Kloss
Ilana Kloss is a professional tennis career who is married to Billie Jean King on October 18, 2018. The media personality has appeared in Battle of The Sexes and The Battle of the Sexes. She has a net worth of $3 million.
Facts of Ilana Kloss
| Full Name | Ilana Kloss |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 1956/3/22 |
| Birth Country | USA |
| Birth Place | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Ethnicity | South-African |
Ilana Kloss is a professional tennis player and later became a tennis coach. She also served as the commissioner of World TeamTennis from 2001 to 2021. In 1976, she was ranked as the best doubles player in the world, and in 1979, she achieved a ranking of 19th in singles.
Ilana Kloss’s Wiki/ Bio
Ilana Kloss is the daughter of Shlaim Kloss and Ruth Kloss, and she is an only child. Born on 22 March 1956 in Johannesburg, South Africa, she follows the Jewish faith. She is fluent in speaking English and Afrikaans.
Likewise, Kloss’s remarkable achievements led to her induction into both the US National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Is Illana Kloss Married? Who Is Her Partner?
Kloss, a former South African tennis player and longtime partner of Billie Jean King, recently disclosed their secret marriage on October 18, 2018. The wedding was a private affair, held in the apartment of former New York mayor David Dinkins, with only a few close attendees.
Despite being encouraged to marry for many years, King and her spouse Kloss chose to keep their relationship private and intimate. They had been together since 1966 when Kloss was a ballgirl and Jean was playing in Johannesburg. Their connection grew strong, and they remained devoted to each other.
Moreover, the couple kept their relationship a secret for a long time, but eventually, King came out as gay at the age of 51 after her divorce from Larry King. Their wedding remained a special, private moment shared only between the two of them.
What Is Illana Kloss’s Net Worth?
The 67-year-old Illana’s net worth has experienced significant growth, estimated to be $3 million in 2023. Her primary income source stems from her successful career as a player. Likewise, she is a notable figure in the sports industry as she owns both the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based team that joined the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022. Likewise, the lady’s beau Billiw holds an astonishing net worth of $20 million.
Apart from her ownership of sports teams, Kloss is also involved in promoting tennis through The Ilana Kloss International, an ITF Tennis tournament held in Pretoria, South Africa. The tournament offers prize money of $25,000 and is scheduled to commence on 5th March 2023. With warm wishes for all participants, Kloss hopes that the event will provide a platform for emerging South African talents to showcase their tremendous potential.
Who Is Billie Jean King?
The big-name Jean King is a remarkable American tennis player who broke down barriers in the sport by fighting for equal prize money for women and being one of the first openly gay athletes. She was born in Long Beach, California, in 1943, to an athletic family. At a young age, she tried various sports but eventually fell in love with tennis when she started playing at the Long Beach public courts. Also, get to know about Lailaa Nicole Williams.
In the late 1950s, King’s talent started to shine, and she received coaching from the renowned Alice Marble. In 1961, she gained attention by winning the Wimbledon women’s doubles title with Karen Hantze Susman, becoming the youngest pair to achieve this feat.
Moreover, the sportsperson’s career soared when she became the world’s No. 1 ranked women’s tennis player in 1968. Known for her speed, net game, and backhand shot, she achieved numerous victories in singles, doubles, and mixed-doubles tournaments. In 1972, she secured three Grand Slam titles in a single year, winning the U.S. Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
In addition, the media star’s most famous match was the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” against Bobby Riggs. Riggs had taunted top women players, and King stepped up to challenge him. In a landmark moment for gender equality, she defeated Riggs in straight sets before a massive television audience.
Likewise, the lady was an outspoken advocate for gender equality in tennis, pushing for equal payouts for both men and women. She played a significant role in forming the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and even threatened a boycott of the 1973 U.S. Open to address pay inequality.
Though Jean announced her singles retirement in 1975, King continued to excel in doubles and eventually retired from professional tennis in 1990. Throughout her career, she won an impressive 39 major championships, including a record 20 at Wimbledon.
To add more, Billie’s contributions to tennis and beyond have earned her numerous honors, including being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
Similarly, the 79-year-old lady’s impactful activism, reshaping the sports landscape for women after Title IX, remains a significant part of her legacy. Today, her extraordinary story is coming to life in the world premiere of the play “Love All” at the La Jolla Playhouse.
A Look At Her Career
Ilana a former professional tennis player and coach from South Africa, made a significant impact in the world of tennis throughout her illustrious career. In 1976, she attained the esteemed title of World No. 1 in doubles and reached World No. 19 in singles in 1979. Her list of accomplishments includes three gold medals at the 1973 Maccabiah Games in Israel, the Wimbledon juniors singles title in 1972, the US Open juniors singles title in 1974, as well as the US Open Doubles and French Open Mixed Doubles titles in
Furthermore, the pretty woman and her better-half King became minority owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in September 2018 and of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based team set to join the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022, in October 2020.
Since 2001, Kloss has served as the CEO and Commissioner of Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT), where she has played a pivotal role in overseeing national sponsorships, strategic planning, media partnerships, and expansion initiatives. Under her guidance, the league achieved the remarkable milestone of completing 40 seasons, making it only the fifth U.S. professional sports league to reach this feat. Her efforts led to the league’s expansion into the New York market, with the iconic Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club hosting world-class tennis once again.
Beyond her achievements on the court and in sports management, Kloss has been a mentor and advocate for many, inspiring individuals to excel in their endeavors and promoting inclusion and diversity within the sport at all levels of the league.
Illana Kloss’s Appearances In The Show Biz Industry
Kloss is renowned in sports and entertainment, not just as a successful tennis player and coach, but also for her appearances in movies and documentaries. She played a significant role in the 2017 film “Battle of the Sexes,” bringing to life the iconic match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. See another celebrity Toriah Lachell.
Besides, the gorgeous lady was featured in the 2006 documentary “Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer,” showcasing King’s groundbreaking efforts in women’s tennis and gender equality. Another film, “The Battle of the Sexes” in 2013, explored the legendary tennis showdown. Kloss’s own tennis achievements have made her an inspiration for players and a role model for women in sports.
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