Billie Jean King thrilled by 'honor' of serving as grand marshal for 136th annual Rose Parade

An honor fit for a King: Tennis legend and American icon Billie Jean King was thrilled to serve as grand marshal for 136th annual Rose Parade on New Year's Day in her native Southern California.

As grand marshal, King and her wife, Ilana Kloss, rode down Padadena, Calif.'s Colorado Boulevard in a dusty blue, 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III adorned with dozens of colored flowers, and kicked off the new year in style the 136th annual event, which precedes college football's famous Rose Bowl.

After the five-and-a-half mile ride where she smiled, waved and signed as many autographs as she could, King took part in the ceremonial coin toss for the game, which saw Ohio State earn a convincing 41-21 win over Oregon to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

The non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has annually produced the Rose Parade on New Year's Day since 1890 and the Rose Bowl since 1902, and its president hand-picks the grand marshal each year. Tournament president Ed Morales said the choice of King as the 2025 grand marshal suited was ideally suited for the parade’s theme: “Best Day Ever!”

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“Her trailblazing work has elevated women in sports and inspired countless best days ever for athletes and fans around the globe," he said in a statement.

The honor was announced for King in October, after a 2024 season where she turned 81 years old, but showed no signed of slowing down. Other highlights for the tennis legend last year included attending President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address with Kloss; celebrating the 50th anniversary of the non-profit Women’s Sports Foundation, which she co-founded, with Vice President Kamala Harris; giving the commencement address at USC’s Annenberg School; and receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, the first individual woman athlete to earn the honor.

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But King said that leading the New Year's Day procession was the biggest dream come true. While on the route, the Long Beach, Calif. native recalled how the event was a time-honored tradition for her family in her youth.

"The whole family would watch the Rose Bowl Parade and then we would watch the football game," she said. "It was something we would look forward to every Jan. 1."

“This parade is a wonderful celebration of joy and community, and it truly represents the 'Best Day Ever' for all who attend or watch," King added.