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Billie Jean King's Ex-Husband Reveals Shocking Revelation
31 Jan
Summary
- Ex-husband learned of King's sexuality days before public news.
- Marriage had an open relationship dynamic before outing.
- Documentary reveals personal reflections on past relationship.
The documentary "Give Me the Ball!" delves into the marriage of tennis legend Billie Jean King and her former husband, Larry King. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, the film features candid reflections from both.
Larry King, now 81, disclosed in the film that he learned of Billie Jean's relationship with hairdresser Marilyn Barnett only one day before the news broke publicly in 1981. At that point, he states, their marriage maintained an "open kind of relationship."
Billie Jean, 82, shared that her understanding of her sexuality was nascent during their marriage, which began in 1965. She noted limited prior experience, with only one same-sex kiss in college before meeting Larry, whom she described as a feminist and "the one."
