Inside PEOPLE and e.l.f.'s Exclusive Party Honoring the Great Billie Jean King

Kate Hogan

21 September 2023 at 10:12 am·3-min read

On the 50th anniversary of King's game-changing Battle of the Sexes match, the icon joined sports stars and celebs to celebrate all she's done and what's to come

<p>Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock</p> Christie Brinkley and Billie Jean King — Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Christie Brinkley and Billie Jean King

Fifty years ago, Billie Jean King forever changed the scope of women's tennis when she beat men's tennis star Bobby Riggs in a match dubbed the "Battle of the Sexes."

In the years since, King, now 79, has worked tirelessly for equality in women's sports, most recently stepping out at the US Open to mark the 50th anniversary of equal prize money for both sexes at the annual tennis competition. Former First Lady Michelle Obama was on hand to praise King for her efforts.

“Billie Jean teaches us that when things lie in the balance, we all have a choice to make,” Obama said. “We can either wait around and accept what we’re given. We can sit silently and hope someone else fights our battles. Or we can make our own stand. We can use whatever platforms we have to speak out and fight to protect the progress we’ve made, and level the playing field for all of our daughters and their daughters.”

In honor of the major milestone, PEOPLE and e.l.f. SKIN threw a Women Changing the Game party in King's honor on Wednesday night, Sept. 20, at Manhatta in New York City, bringing together celebrities and stars of women's sports for an inspiring conversation with the legend.

Christie Brinkley and Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock</p> Christie Brinkley, Billie Jean King — Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Christie Brinkley, Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King and Bridget Moynahan

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Billie Jean King, Bridget Moynahan — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Billie Jean King, Bridget Moynahan

Soccer Stars Kelley O'Hara, Ali Krieger and Kristie Mewis with Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock</p> Kelley O'Hara, Ali Krieger, Billie Jean King, Kristie Mewis — Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Kelley O'Hara, Ali Krieger, Billie Jean King, Kristie Mewis

Marcia Gay Harden and Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Marcia Gay Harden, Billie Jean King — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Marcia Gay Harden, Billie Jean King

Christie Brinkley and Padma Lakshmi

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Christie Brinkley, Padma Lakshmi — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Christie Brinkley, Padma Lakshmi

PEOPLE President Leah Wyar, Billie Jean King, Editor in Chief Wendy Naugle and Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel

<p>Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock</p> Leah Wyar, Billie Jean King, Wendy Naugle, Neil Vogel — Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Leah Wyar, Billie Jean King, Wendy Naugle, Neil Vogel

Peloton's Ally Love and Jess King with Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Ally Love, Billie Jean King, Jess King — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Ally Love, Billie Jean King, Jess King

Billie Jean King in Conversation with PEOPLE Editor in Chief Wendy Naugle

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Billie Jean King, Wendy Naugle — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Billie Jean King, Wendy Naugle

e.l.f. CMO Kory Marchisotto and Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Kory Marchisotto, Billie Jean King — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Kory Marchisotto, Billie Jean King

Pinky Cole and Billie Jean King

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Pinky Cole, Billie Jean King — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Pinky Cole, Billie Jean King

Ubah Hassan, Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel and PEOPLE Editor in Chief Wendy Naugle

<p>Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock</p> Ubah Hassan, Neil Vogel, Wendy Naugle — Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Ubah Hassan, Neil Vogel, Wendy Naugle

Folake Olowofoyeku and Bridget Moynahan

<p>Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine</p> Folake Olowofoyeku, Bridget Moynahan — Stephen Lovekin / Shutterstock for People Magazine
Folake Olowofoyeku, Bridget Moynahan

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