Famous Female Athletes

The 10 Fittest Women in History

These women shattered barriers and paved the way for future fitness-oriented females

By Mary Squillace fitbie

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The 10 Fittest Women in History // Billie Jean King c Tony Triolo /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Image: Tony Triolo /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Billie Jean King (1971)

Daring to wear white right around the Labor Day cut off, King kept it chic in a lacy, cap-sleeved tennis dress. Despite sitting out the 1970 tournament to undergo knee surgery, she took home the championship title a year later and the $5,000 first-prize check. Less than a month later King would become the first woman to take home more than $100,000 in prize money during a single year.

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The 10 Fittest Women in History

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