Helen Wills Moody

Date of Birth: October 6, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 1, 1998

Biography

Helen Wills Moody, born Helen Newington Wills on October 6, 1905, in Centerville, California, was an iconic American tennis player who dominated women’s tennis in the 1920s and 1930s. Known for her powerful and precise playing style, she won 31 Grand Slam titles, including 19 singles titles, 9 doubles titles, and 3 mixed doubles titles. Her calm demeanor on the court earned her the nickname “Little Miss Poker Face.” Wills Moody started playing tennis at a young age and quickly rose to prominence. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she continued to develop her skills. Her first major victory came in 1923 when she won the U.S. Open. She went on to win a total of 8 Wimbledon titles and 7 U.S. Open titles, among others. In addition to her tennis career, Wills Moody was an accomplished artist and writer. She married Frederick Moody in 1929 but later divorced. She then married Aidan Roark in 1939. Helen Wills Moody retired from competitive tennis in 1938 but continued to be involved in the sport and other pursuits until her passing on January 1, 1998.

5 Interesting Facts about Helen Wills Moody

1. Helen Wills Moody won her first U.S. Open title at the age of 17.

2. She was the first female athlete to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.

3. Wills Moody had a 158-match winning streak from 1927 to 1933.

4. She won gold medals in both singles and doubles at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

5. Helen was also an accomplished painter and even held exhibitions of her artwork.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Helen Wills Moody

1. “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.”

2. “I can’t think of anything that’s more exciting than being on the court and winning.”

3. “In tennis, as in life, nothing is ever achieved without effort.”

4. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

5. “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Helen Wills Moody’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but she earned significant prize money and endorsements during her career, translating to an estimated net worth of several million dollars at her peak.